Officials confirm measles case in B.C.’s Lower Mainland

Travelers at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (SeongJoon Cho / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Officials are warning travellers they may have been exposed to measles after an infected individual returned to B.C. from Southeast Asia.

The infected person lives in the Fraser Health region, which stretches from Burnaby to Hope, and arrived in Vancouver on Tuesday, Feb. 11, according to a joint statement issued Saturday by the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities.

Anyone who was aboard Air Canada Flight 66 from Bangkok to Vancouver that day may have been exposed to measles, as well as anyone who spent time in the international arrivals area of YVR between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., officials said.

“Measles is a highly infectious disease transmitted by airborne spread,” the notice reads. “Most people in Canada will be immune to measles due to prior immunization or natural infection.”

Officials recommended anyone who has not been previously infected or received two doses of the measles vaccine and may have been exposed to get a booster, if born in 1970 or later. Those born before 1970 are assumed to have natural immunity. Those who can’t be vaccinated such as infants and pregnant people are asked to call a health-care provider for advice.

The health authorities asked anyone who may have been exposed to monitor for measles symptoms, which could take up to three weeks to develop. Those include a fever, dry cough, runny nose and red eyes followed by a rash that starts at the hairline and spreads.

“If you develop symptoms of measles, please contact your health-care provider before you visit them so they can take precautions to prevent spreading measles to others,” the notice reads.

The health authorities added they are following up with people who were confirmed to be exposed.