New measles case confirmed in B.C.'s Lower Mainland

A new case of travel-related measles has been confirmed in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province to six.

Fraser Health officials say the latest case was confirmed in a visitor from Toronto, who arrived at Vancouver International Airport on April 20 and then was in Chilliwack for the following five days.

Members of the public have been warned to check for symptoms of the disease, which has been seeing a resurgence in Canada — particularly in Ontario, where officials have counted 1,018 confirmed and probable cases of measles so far this year.

While health officials in B.C. say most people are immune to the disease due to prior vaccination or infection, they're advising members of the public to monitor for measles symptoms for up to three weeks, as it is spread through the air.

The list of locations where the public may have been exposed includes Vancouver's airport and an arena and hotel in Chilliwack.

People may have been exposed if they were on Air Canada flight AC2105 from Toronto to Vancouver on April 20, which left Toronto at 8:38 a.m. local time and arrived in Vancouver at 10:09 a.m. PT.

Anyone who was in the domestic arrivals section at Vancouver airport between 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. PT on April 20 has been told to monitor for symptoms.

The same advice has been given to anyone who was at Chilliwack Coliseum between 12:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. PT that same day.

Members of the public who were at Coast Chilliwack Hotel by APA on First Avenue between 1 p.m. on April 20 and 12 a.m. on April 25 have also been told to check for symptoms.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to humankind. Symptoms can include a fever, coughing and a runny nose, as well as a blotchy red rash. In serious cases, measles can cause complications like inflammation of the brain, pneumonia and death.

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Measles cases in B.C. remain low, with just five confirmed cases — all of them travel-related. But elsewhere, the numbers are exploding. Experts warn of further spread due to low vaccination rates. CBC's medical columnist, Dr. Melissa Lem, says she's been fielding questions from concerned parents. She says school-age kids are particularly vulnerable, and the virus can leave lasting damage to lungs and the immune system and even cause brain damage.

Fraser Health says it's following up directly with individuals who are known to have been exposed to the virus.

They say that people at risk of getting the virus include those who have not been vaccinated against the disease or had a prior infection, with health officials across Canada saying that most of the cases they're seeing are in unvaccinated people.

Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine (MMRV) offer almost 100 per cent effectiveness in the long term.  

"If you were born in 1970 or later and have not had two doses of measles vaccine, you should get a dose of measles vaccine," Fraser Health said in its statement.

"It is most effective if received within three days of being exposed but still can be received after that."

The health authority is advising anyone who is at risk of getting measles to call them to book a vaccination.