In a follow-up on the measles outbreak in Vancouver, BC, Vancouver Coastal Health has identified two additional cases of measles infection in the Lower Mainland.
One infection is linked to a previously known case of measles. The source of the second infection has not been identified and is under investigation.
There have now been 10 cases of measles associated with the current outbreak.
Since a potential community transmission of measles has now been identified, there is an increased chance of further unidentified exposures in the community. A number of specific public venues where people could have been exposed to measles have now been identified. These are:
Date |
Time |
Location |
| February 15, 2019 | 5:30 am – 9:30 am | Russel Sean Fitness, Richmond |
| February 15, 2019 | 9:00 am — 11:30 am | Canada Line Southbound and Northbound |
| February 15, 2019 | 9:00 am – 4:30 pm | Langara College, Tech Building, Vancouver |
| February 15, 2019 | 3:00 pm — 5:30 pm | Sport Chek, Richmond Centre |
| February 17, 2019 | 12:30 pm — 2:30 pm | Starbucks, No. 1 Road and Bayview, Richmond |
| February 17, 2019 | 1:00 pm — 3:45 pm | Dave’s Fish and Chips, Steveston |
| February 18, 2019 | 9:45 am — 11:45 am | McDonald’s Restaurant, Squamish |
| February 18, 2019 | 11:00 am — 7:15 pm | Scandinave Spa, Whistler |
Those who are unimmunized or incompletely immunized are at highest risk. Two doses of measles vaccine are 99 per cent effective at preventing measles.
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If you are unimmunized, incompletely immunized, or uncertain of your immunizations, and think you may have been exposed to measles, monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days after exposure. The time to develop symptoms after being exposed is usually eight to 12 days, but can be as short as seven and as long as twenty-one days. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the chest.
People who are at high risk of severe illness (pregnant women, immune compromised, and those under one year of age) can also get a medicine called immune globulin that reduces the risk of severe illness if given within six days of exposure. Measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine given within three days of exposure can also provide some protection.
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