Measles may be circulating in small northeast B.C. community, says health authority

Northern Health officials have identified multiple confirmed cases of measles in the small northeast B.C. community of Wonowon since late May.

It's also warning of an exposure at Fort St. John Hospital earlier this month.

Wonowon is located around 90 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John, and is the site of the Halfway River First Nation reserve. The nation has a registered population of just under 300 people, and the Wonowon School says its student population comprises just under 60 kids.

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 2,046 confirmed and probable cases of measles as of May 31, and in Alberta.

Northern Health says that it has found multiple lab-confirmed cases of the disease in Wonowon, though it did not share an exact number. As of May 31, Health Canada says B.C. has reported 12 cases of measles.

"While it appears the initial case was travel-acquired, Northern Health Medical Health [officers] now believe the disease is circulating in the community," reads a statement from Northern Health.

"Members of the public in Wonowon and neighbouring communities, including Fort St. John, may have been exposed in various settings in the community since late May."

Northern Health adds that members of the public may have been exposed to the disease at the Fort St. John Hospital emergency area on June 2, between midnight and 4 a.m. local time.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known to humankind. Symptoms can include a fever, coughing, a runny nose, and a blotchy red rash.

While health officials 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.

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.

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

The health authority is advising anyone in Wonowon who has been exposed to measles to call the Fort St. John Medical Clinic to book a vaccination.

Officials are asking anyone who has a measles rash to self-isolate for at least four days if they're able.

If anyone is experiencing severe symptoms, officials are asking them to call ahead before seeking health care so that doctors can prepare and prevent further disease spread.