Two new cases of measles in Vancouver, linked to school outbreak
Posted February 27, 2019 3:11 pm.
Last Updated February 27, 2019 4:15 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – There are now 15 cases of the measles in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.
The latest two cases are linked to the outbreak at French-language schools in Vancouver.
There have now been 15 confirmed measles cases, including 12 linked to French-language schools in Vancouver. It’s believed this outbreak began with an unvaccinated child who was exposed to measles during a trip to Vietnam.
There was an unrelated case that was confirmed a week before that outbreak began.
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Two other cases were confirmed over the weekend. Both of the infected people were aboard a flight to YVR Airport from the Philippines. One of those two patients lives in the area, while the other passed through Richmond and YVR on the way to Edmonton and the Northwest Territories.
Vancouver Coastal Health has said it’s possible that we could see more cases in people who have already been exposed, as it can take up to three weeks for symptoms to appear.
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. A few days later, patients develop a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the chest.
People who are at the highest risk of infection are those who have never been vaccinated or only had one measles shot. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines taken within three to six days of being exposed provides some protection as well, according to VCH. People who are pregnant, immune compromised and under one year of age can get a medicine called globulin that reduces risk of severe illness if you get the shot within six days of being exposed.
– With files from Lauren Boothby and Espe Currie
