B.C. reaches 49 measles cases in 2025

Seventeen new measles cases have been reported around the province since last week, according to the BCCDC.

The latest report on Tuesday afternoon brings the total to 49 cases in B.C. since the beginning of the year — with 12 cases currently considered active.

The BCCDC has provided a regional breakdown of where the cases were found. The Fraser Health Authority confirmed earlier Tuesday that three unvaccinated residents contracted measles in Chilliwack since Friday.

Among the 49 cases, there has been one case in the Interior Health Authority region, seven in Fraser Health, eight in Vancouver Coastal Health, and 33 in Northern Health — although officials in the north say they believe the true number to be higher because some people aren’t seeking medical care.

Fraser Health says the three Chilliwack cases, all confirmed since June 20, “appear to be locally acquired, with no reported travel history.”

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Measles is a highly infectious disease transmitted by airborne spread, with initial symptoms that include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.

A rash often develops a few days later, beginning on the face and then spreading down the body.

Fraser Health says that those who are most at risk of getting measles are those who have never had the disease and those who have not been vaccinated.

“Measles can cause complications like pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and even death. In rare cases, complications can develop many years after someone has had measles,” it said.

The health authority says the individuals exposed in identified places are being contacted by Public Health.

Meanwhile, there are public locations where Public Health is unable to identify specific individuals.

Those places include:

Chilliwack on June 16

• Mark’s (45737 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack, V2R 4E8) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 16, 2025
• Redwing Shoe Store (8249 Eagle Landing Parkway #716, Chilliwack, V2R 0P9) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 16, 2025
• Walmart (8249 Eagle Landing Parkway, Chilliwack, V2R 0N1) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 16, 2025
• Ahmad Barber Shop (7325 Vedder Road #100, Chilliwack, V2R 4E4) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 18, 2025

Kamloops on June 16:

• Denny’s Restaurant – 570 Columbia Street., from 12 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Aberdeen Mall – 1320 Trans-Canada Highway, from 1 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Earls Restaurant – 1210 Summit Drive, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart -1210 Summit Drive, from 9:30 p.m. to 11:35 p.m.

Chilliwack on June 18:

• Ahmad Barber Shop, 7325 Vedder Road #100, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Kamloops on June 18:

• Castles and Cottages – 347 Victoria Street, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

BC Ferries and Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal on June 20

• Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal – 1 Ferry Causeway, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• 12 p.m. Coastal Celebration ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay
• 2 p.m. Coastal Celebration ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
• 6 p.m. Coastal Celebration ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
• 8.pm. Coastal Celebration ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay

“BC Ferries is reaching out to employees and reserved customers who were onboard the identified sailings,” the BCCDC said.

Victoria on June 20

• Hot and Cold Café – #1 – 313 Cook Street, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Surrey on June 20 and 21

• Marriot Civic Autograph Hotel, 13475 Central Avenue, Surrey, from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on June 20, and from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on June 21.

You’re asked to call your local public health authority if you may have been exposed and any of the following apply to you:

• You are immunocompromised;
• You are unvaccinated and pregnant;
• You have a child under one year of age who was exposed;
• You are born in 1970 or later and are unvaccinated;
• You are born in 1970 or later and are unsure of your immunization status;

“The public health team will review your immunity to measles and provide recommendations around potential post-exposure prophylaxis.”

Fraser Health says if you were at an exposure site and are not fully protected against measles, you can take action now to reduce the chance of contracting the disease.

Those actions include getting a dose of the measles vaccine immediately if you were born in 1970 or later, and monitoring for any symptoms of measles for 21 days after being exposed.

If you develop measles-like symptoms, Fraser Health states:

• Stay home and away from others who may not be protected, or those at higher risk for measles-related complications (babies less than six months of age, pregnant people, and people with certain immune conditions).
• Contact Fraser Health Public Health (604-507-5471) for additional advice on testing, isolation, and preventing spread to others.
• If urgent care is needed (e.g. high fever), please inform your health care provider before you visit them so they can take precautions to prevent measles being
  spread to others, wear a mask (e.g. waiting rooms) and avoid using public transportation.

The BCCDC is urging everyone to review their immunization status, considering the current measles outbreaks across Canada.

—With files from Srushti Gangdev