Fraser Health is warning people who visited the emergency room at Royal Columbian Hospital earlier this week that they may have been exposed to measles.
In a March 6 news release, Fraser Health stated a new case of measles infection has been confirmed in the Lower Mainland. The health authority has determined the infection was acquired by a resident who had travelled to Southeast Asia.
According to Fraser Health, members of the public who were in the RCH emergency department from 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3 until 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4 may have been exposed to measles. This case is unrelated to a previous case identified in February.
“Public health, workplace health, and infection prevention and control clinicians are following up directly with individuals who are known to have been exposed to the virus,” said the news release.
According to Fraser Health, measles is a highly infectious disease transmitted by airborne spread, but most people in Canada will be immune to measles due to prior immunization or natural infection.
“Individuals exposed to the measles virus should monitor for symptoms that may develop up to three weeks after being exposed,” said the news release. “These include fever, dry cough, runny nose, and red eyes; followed a few days later by a rash that starts at the hairline and spreads rapidly down to the rest of the body.”
Fraser Heath advises anyone who develops symptoms of measles to inform their health-care provider before visiting them, so they can take precautions to prevent spreading measles to other people.
According to Fraser Health, people who are at risk of getting measles are those who have never had measles disease, and those who have not had two doses of a measles vaccine on or after 12 months of age.
In its news release, Fraser Health offered some recommendations for people who are not fully protected against measles and may have been exposed:
- If you were born in 1970 or later and have not had two doses of measles vaccine, you should get a booster dose of measles vaccine. It is most effective if received within three days of being exposed but it can still be received after that.
- Certain people should not get the measles vaccine, including babies less than six months of age, pregnant people, and people with certain immune conditions. If you, or your child, are in one of these groups, Fraser Health urges you to call your local public health team as soon as possible and no later than six days after being exposed. You may be advised that you, or your child, receive a medication that can prevent measles disease. This is also provided free of charge.
Fraser Health has provided information about getting the measles vaccine before travelling and where to get vaccines in the Lower Mainland.
