Measles | Northern Health

Measles is a very contagious disease that can have serious complications in some people. It’s spread by an airborne virus when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can survive in small droplets in the air for several hours. Getting the measles vaccine is the best way to prevent getting and spreading measles.

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Measles is circulating in BC and globally

Northern Health has identified several lab-confirmed cases of measles in Northeast BC, and confirmed cases have also been identified in other health regions. The BC Centre for Disease Control is regularly updating confirmed case counts and potential exposure locations on the BCCDC website. If you're travelling (including within Canada), check measles activity and exposures in your destination.

Read on for more information about signs and symptoms of measles, and how to get immunized. Immunization is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from measles.

If you have a fever and rash, and think you may have measles, especially if you have been in contact with someone with measles or traveled to an area with a measles activity or exposures, consult a health care provider.
Seek urgent medical attention if you are experiencing severe symptoms (such as difficulty breathing, confusion, persistent high fever, dehydration, or complications). Seek medical attention for your child if your child:
- Is having a hard time breathing, fast breathing, or loud breathing sounds.
- Is drowsy, confused or hard to wake up.
- Have a fever that will not go away (above 39.5°C or 103°F).
- Are not drinking or show signs of dehydration.
- (dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes or not going pee as much).
- Complain of ear pain or pull at their ears.
- Have a seizure or a stiff neck.
- Have a rash with bruising or bleeding.
- Seem to be getting worse after the rash starts.
If you need to visit a health care provider, please call them in advance so they can take the necessary steps to ensure you do not pass on the infection to others.
As always, if you are feeling ill (or are not immune to measles and have been exposed) please delay social visits to long term care settings or acute care patients in Northern Health facilities.

Signs and symptoms of the measles

After someone catches the measles virus, symptoms can start as soon as seven days, and up to 21 days, after a person is infected with the virus. People who are both exposed to measles AND who are NOT immune to measles are very likely to develop measles.

Signs and symptoms of measles include:

Fever of 38.5°C or higher, cough, runny nose, and red and inflamed eyes that are often sensitive to light.
A rash, which starts first on the face and neck, and spreads to the chest, arms and legs, and lasts about 4 to 7 days.
There may also be small white spots inside the mouth.
Diarrhea.

Measles is a serious illness that can also lead to complications including ear infection, pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), hepatitis and even death.

Symptoms are most likely to show up within 21 days after the exposure. Stay home at the first sign of illness.
Settings to avoid for the 21 days include: All health care settings (call ahead for advice), day care, or any place where pregnant women or infants under 1 year of age are present.
Getting a measles vaccine as soon as possible is safe and a good idea. It may not stop illness from this exposure but is the best protection long-term.

How measles spreads

Measles is very contagious and spreads easily.

When an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, the virus spreads through the air. The measles virus can survive in small droplets in the air for several hours. You can become infected when you breathe in these droplets or touch objects contaminated with the virus. The airborne spread of measles virus makes the disease very contagious. Sharing food, drinks, smoking or vaping devices, or kissing someone who has the virus can also put you at risk.

Immunization for the measles

Vaccinations are recommended to any adult or child over one year old with uncertain immunization or disease history. If you were born in 1970 or later and have received less than two doses of measles-containing vaccine, you are recommended to update your protection. The vaccines are free as part of routine childhood immunizations and to others needing protection against measles.

Northern Health offers the measles vaccine by appointment. Many primary care, walk-in clinics and pharmacies carry the measles vaccine. Please call ahead to make sure the vaccine is available before you visit. Click here to find an immunization clinic near you.

For more information, please check Immunizations.

The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) lasts for a lifetime. Two doses of measles vaccine are 99 per cent effective at preventing measles. One dose of vaccine is 95 per cent effective.

Children in BC born in or after 1994 routinely receive two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR), one at 12 months, then again before they start kindergarten. If they are up-to-date with their immunizations, these individuals should be protected against measles.
If you were born before 1994 or grew up outside of BC, you may have received only one dose of the vaccine and require a second dose.
If you were born before 1970, you are likely to be immune to measles. However, if you aren’t sure if you have ever had the infection, an MMR vaccine is safe and recommended.
Anyone who has ever had the infection does not need to be immunized.
For more information, please check Immunizations.

Individuals who can’t be vaccinated, or are not immune:

Some people can’t get the measles vaccine, including:

Babies under 6 months old.
People with very weak immune systems.
Pregnant women who haven’t been vaccinated.

These people are more likely to get very sick if they catch measles.

If you’re in one of these groups and have been near someone with measles, call the Northern Health Virtual Clinic - you may be able to get a treatment called immune globulin, but it must be given within 6 days of exposure. The NH Virtual Clinic number is 1-844-645-7811 (10 am to 10 pm PST, 7 days a week).

For people who are not immune to measles:

If you haven’t had measles or the measles vaccine, and you’re eligible, please consider getting vaccinated.
If you choose not to get vaccinated, be aware that measles is spreading in northeastern BC. You could catch it without knowing and pass it to others before you feel sick. To help protect others—especially those at higher risk—try to avoid crowded places.
If you’re not immune and you’ve been around someone with measles, getting the vaccine within 3 days can help prevent you from getting sick. Call the Northern Health Virtual Clinic to find out what to do (1-844-645-7811, 10 am to 10 pm PST, 7 days a week).
- If it’s too late for the vaccine, staying home for 21 days after being exposed is the best way to help keep others safe.
- Settings to avoid for the 21 days after being exposed to measles, if you are not immune to measles include: all health care settings (call ahead for advice), day care, or any place where pregnant women or infants under 1 year of age are present.

Measles vaccine (MMR) is not recommended for people who are pregnant

The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is a live vaccine and therefore it is not recommended that pregnant people be vaccinated for measles until after they give birth. However, it is recommended that everyone within the same household be up to date on vaccinations to protect you and your baby lowering the risk of infection.

For more information, please check Immunizations.

I need more information about measles.

Call 8-1-1 for information any time or visit HealthLinkBC
Learn about measles immunizations
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Health unit information

Burns Lake

Chetwynd

Daajing Giids (formerly the Village of Queen Charlotte)

Dawson Creek

Dease Lake

Fort Nelson

Fort St. James

Fort St. John

Fraser Lake

Hazelton

Houston

Hudson's Hope

Kitimat

Mackenzie

Masset

McBride

Prince George

Prince Rupert

Quesnel

Smithers

Stewart

Terrace

Tumbler Ridge

Valemount

Vanderhoof