2 more measles cases confirmed in B.C., both linked to Southeast Asia travel

More measles infections have been confirmed in Metro Vancouver, as cases rise around the globe.

Two more measles cases have been confirmed in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, both related to another infection announced Thursday.

Health officials said all three of the province’s latest measles patients travelled together to Southeast Asia, where they are believed to have picked up the disease.

Before the infections were detected, the individuals visited a number of locations throughout Metro Vancouver, where Fraser Health warned that “members of the public may have been exposed.”

Those locations are Vancouver International Airport, from 3:20 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. on Feb. 17; the PriceSmart on Austin Road in Burnaby, from 9 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. on both Feb. 20 and 21; Big Way Hot Pot on Barnet Highway in Coquitlam, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Feb. 28; and Royal Columbian Hospital’s emergency department, from 2:30 p.m. on March 3 to 2:30 a.m. on March 4.

Passengers might also have been exposed on Korean Air flight KE 75 from Seoul, South Korea that arrived at YVR at 3:20 p.m. on Feb. 17, health officials warned.

“Individuals exposed to the measles virus should monitor for symptoms that may develop up to three weeks after being exposed,” Fraser Health said Friday, in a news release. “These include fever, dry cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that usually starts on the face and spreads rapidly down to the rest of the body.”

Anyone who develops measles symptoms is asked to inform their health-care provider before going into a clinic, so precautions can be taken to prevent further spread.

On Thursday, Dr. Teresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, released a statement sounding the alarm about a “sharp” and “very concerning” increase in measles cases in the country.

There were 227 infections confirmed between Jan. 1 and March 6, more than were recorded in all of 2024, the majority detected among unvaccinated children who were exposed in their communities.

But the influx of additional cases acquired abroad is causing worry as well, particularly as spring break approaches.

“I am concerned that the global rise in measles cases, combined with declining vaccination rates among school-aged children in Canada, could lead to more illness and more community transmission,” Tam said.

“I strongly urge all Canadians to ensure they are vaccinated against measles—check to see if you are up-to-date before travelling.”

B.C.’s latest three cases are not connected to two others announced last month, which were also related to Southeast Asia travel.

Those two patients were part of a group that returned from Asia on an Air Canada flight that arrived at YVR on Feb. 11.