New travel-related measles case identified in Metro Vancouver

British Columbia health officials say another travel-related measles infection has been confirmed in the Lower Mainland in a resident who visited Southeast Asia. 

Fraser Health says in a statement that the case is unrelated to an infection last month involving a resident of the Vancouver Coastal Health region who was also infected after a trip to Southeast Asia.

It says the new case involves a Fraser Health resident, and health officials are directly following up with people known to have been exposed to the virus.

The statement says members of the public might have been exposed to measles if they were in the Royal Columbian Hospital emergency department from 2:30 p.m. on Monday to 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday. 

Measles is a highly infectious disease transmitted by airborne spread, but the statement says most people in Canada are immune due to immunization or previous natural infection.

Symptoms include fever, dry cough, runny nose, and red eyes, which may develop up to three weeks after being exposed. 

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says there has been a "sharp rise" in measles cases across the globe, and the same trend is continuing in Canada, with 227 cases recorded so far this year, mostly in New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec and Manitoba. Many of the infected individuals had to be hospitalized, the agency added.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam put out a statement about the rise in cases on Thursday morning before the latest case in B.C. had been announced publicly.

"I strongly urge all Canadians to ensure they are vaccinated against measles — check to see if you are up-to-date before travelling," she said.

"If needed, the vaccine should be administered at least two weeks before departure, but even last-minute vaccinations offer protection."

For those who are not vaccinated or immune due to a previous infection, 90 per cent who are exposed to the virus will become infected, the agency said.