A new case of measles has arrived at YVR airport

A new case of measles infection was confirmed by health officials in the Lower Mainland on Friday, July 26.

According to a press release, a resident of Burnaby, who went abroad to the Philippines, was infected.

Representatives from Fraser Health and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authorities "provide direct follow-up to those who may have been exposed to the virus."

Fraser Health stated that "members of the public might have been exposed to measles if they were on the PR116 flight of Philippines Airlines, arrived in Vancouver on July 23, 2019, or where they spent time in the following public places:

• July 23 from 4:30 pm to 7:20 pm at International Arrivals at Vancouver International Airport.
• July 23rd from 5pm to 7pm at the park and shuttle shuttle to YVR airport.

People who have never had measles disease and who have not received two doses of measles vaccine run the risk of contracting measles.

Public health officials recommend to the public, who is not protected against measles and may have been exposed, to:

• If you were born in 1970 or later and you have not received two doses of measles vaccine, you should receive a booster dose of measles vaccine, ideally within three days of exposure. The measles vaccine is provided free of charge.

• Some people should not get the measles vaccine. These include infants under six months of age, pregnant women, and people with certain immune diseases. If you or your child belong to one of these groups, please call our public health team as soon as possible and no later than six days after your exposure. You may be advised that you, or your child, are receiving medication that can prevent measles disease. This is also provided free of charge.

For people likely to be exposed, health officials ask them to monitor any measles symptoms appearing up to three weeks after exposure.

Symptoms include fever, dry cough, runny nose and red eyes; followed by a rash that starts at the hairline and spreads along the body.

According to Minister of Health Adrian Dix, 29 people in BC had the disease this year, before the last case.

– Valerie Leung, Richmond News. With records from the Canadian press.