British Columbia

B.C. measles outbreak spreads to Washington's Whatcom county

A U.S. health officer has confirmed that an American resident contracted measles while in B.C.

A U.S. health officer has confirmed that an American resident contracted measles while in B.C.

Greg Stern of the Whatcom County Health Department says the patient is isolated back at home.

The measles virus, seen here through an electron micrograph, is highly contagious and can be spread through coughing and sneezing. (Canadian Press)

The health authority in B.C., Fraser Health, confirmed there were 228 cases of measles in B.C.'s eastern Fraser Valley last week.

The outbreak was first declared March 8 in a region east of Vancouver where immunization rates were low within some religious communities and schools.

The health authority then warned the virus was spreading and confirmed over two weeks ago that a student from BCIT in Burnaby, B.C., was infected.

Fraser Health says it has also been working with schools, community groups, churches and medical officials to control the virus and it has set up dedicated immunization clinics.