Editor's note: On Feb. 15, Vancouver Coastal Health declared a measles outbreak in the city after nine cases were confirmed in Vancouver this month.
To date, no measles cases have been reported in B.C. related to the Washington state outbreak. However, travellers are at potential risk of exposure to measles, because people with measles can infect others prior to the onset of symptoms like fever and rash.
While it is expected that most travellers will be immune to measles, some individuals will be susceptible, including infants less than one year old or people who have never been immunized against measles.
Measles is highly infectious and spreads through the air by coughing and sneezing, as well as respiratory secretions. The best protection against measles is vaccination.
BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) advises British Columbians to review and update their immunization status at any time, and especially prior to any travel. The measles vaccine is available as a combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and is available from your local health unit, family doctor, and many pharmacists.
MMR vaccine is safe and effective; however, it is a live-virus vaccine and cannot be given to some people with certain types of weakened immunity.
In B.C., measles vaccine uptake is assessed in children at the second and seventh birthdays. For the most recent years of data available, 87.3 per cent of children turning two had received one dose of measles vaccine, and 88.4 per cent of children turning seven had received two doses, based on data in the provincial immunization registry reported by B.C. health authorities. In order to ensure interruption of transmission of measles in populations, a level of population immunity of 95 per cent is recommended. There are pockets of unvaccinated people in several parts of B.C.
The last large outbreaks of measles in B.C. were in 2014 and 2010.
Those who are concerned about their potential measles exposure but have no symptoms can call 8-1-1 and speak to a nurse.
For more, visit www.bccdc.ca or follow us on Twitter @CDCofBC.
Heather Amos
BCCDC Communications
