Health officials are providing more information about lab-confirmed cases of the measles in the community of Wonowon, 89 km northwest of Fort St. John.
The BC Centre For Disease Control said there are 18 lab confirmed cases bringing the total across BC to 30. Seven cases have been confirmed through laboratory testing in the Northern Health region, and 11 cases are assumed to be measles due to reported symptoms and exposure.
Reported measles cases by health authority:
- Northern Health: 18
- Vancouver Coastal Health: 8
- Fraser Health: 4
- Out-of-province cases: 1
Northern Health said the highly contagious virus has been circulating in Wonowon since late May.
“While it appears, the initial case was travel-acquired, Northern Health Medical Health Officers now believe the disease is circulating in the community,” said the health authority.
In addition, members of the public may have been exposed at the Fort St. John Hospital emergency waiting area on June 2 between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m.
Northern Health is advising those who may have been exposed and develop symptoms to seek medical attention.
Those who have been exposed to the measle are being asked to stay home and self-isolate for at least four days after a rash first appears.
Medical experts say the best way to protect yourself if you have been exposed to measles is to get vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. You can contact the Fort St. John Medical Clinic at 250-263-6000 to schedule a measles vaccination appointment.