Public health officials are urging the public to make sure they are fully vaccinated against measles after someone with the virus travelled through the Sea to Sky corridor and spent a leisurely day at a spa on Monday, Feb. 18.
"Vaccination is really the best tool we have to protect people from measles and prevent its spread," said Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) medical health officer Geoff McKee this week.
VCH became aware of the person in question on Friday, Feb. 22, and worked swiftly and in coordination with the two Sea-to-Sky businesses the person visited to limit the threat of transmission, said McKee.
"(The infected person) stopped in a couple of locations, both the McDonald's in Squamish and Scandinave Spa in Whistler," said McKee.
"In order to quickly respond, we tried to follow up with potential contacts, because there are some interventions to help reduce the potential of them developing disease, as well also to prevent against the spread of the measles virus further."
To that end, VCH set up "pop-up" immunization centres at a health centre in Squamish and the Scandinave Spa for workers in Whistler on Saturday, immunizing over 80 people.
McKee explained that it is important for anyone who was at the McDonald's in Squamish, between 9:45 and 11:45 a.m., or the Scandinave Spa, between 11:00 a.m. and 7:15 p.m., to closely monitor their health for symptoms of the virus.
"We suggest that people keep an eye out for symptoms for up to 21 days, which is an incubation period for the disease ... (and the) time period when symptoms may appear," he said.
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the chest.
McKee said that both locations—the spa and the McDonald's—are safe to visit.
"There is no longer any known risk at these locations," said McKee. "While we know the measles virus can hang around the environment for a couple hours after exposure, there is no reason to suggest it would be any longer."
The exposure risk led to a busy couple days for Whistler's iconic Scandinave Spa, which has worked closely with VCH to mitigate any threat.
The guest in question enjoyed "quite a long spa day," remarked Jen Girardi, marketing manager for the spa. "She checked in at 11 a.m., then she had a bath, then she had a massage at 4 p.m., and then left pretty much immediately after her massage at 5:15 p.m."
Staff worked with VCH to arrange the on-site inoculation centre, added Girardi.
"Obviously, we have a lot of oversees staff, where going to a clinic (for vaccination) would incur some cost," said Girardi, adding that about 20 staff were inoculated. "We wanted to ensure that all of our staff had access to complimentary vaccine here on site.
"In addition to that, we ensured everyone checked into their vaccination records to make sure they are adequately vaccinated.
"The risk has passed, and we are working really closely with Vancouver Coastal Health to follow any protocols that they recommend in the future."
For McKee, the ongoing issues with measles underscores the importance of making sure all of your vaccinations are adequate.
"I really think outbreaks like this allow us to reflect on the importance of vaccination," he said. "Not only to protect ourselves and our children, but also others.
"It's a good time to review all the immunizations we have had, and look to get up to date if necessary."
Measles immunization is free at your family health unit, and pharmacist.
If you develop symptoms please contact your health care provider before you visit them, so they can take precautions to prevent transmission to others.
