Vancouver – Washington’s state Governor declared a state of emergency related to the measles outbreak unfolding in Clark County on January 25.At this time, a single case related to the outbreak has been reported in Oregon state.
To date, no cases have been reported in BC related to the Washington state outbreak. However, travellers to the affected communities are at potential risk of exposure to measles, because people with measles can infect others prior to the onset of symptoms like fever and rash. While it is expected that most travellers will be immune to measles, some individuals will be susceptible, including infants less than one year old or people who have never been immunized against measles.
Measles is highly infectious and spreads through the air by coughing and sneezing, as well as respiratory secretions. The best protection against measles is vaccination.
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) advises British Columbians to review and update their immunization status at any time, and especially prior to any travel. The measles vaccine is available as a combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and is available from your local health unit, family doctor, and many pharmacists. MMR vaccine is safe and effective; however, it is a live virus vaccine and cannot be given to some people with certain types of weakened immunity. To find a public health unit anywhere in the province, see the site finder on ImmunizeBC.ca.
In BC, children receive two doses of measles-containing vaccine during routine immunization, with the first at 12 months of age and the second at four years of age or school entry. All school-age children, university students and those traveling out of the country and born on or after January 1, 1970 should have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, as should health-care workers born on or after January 1, 1957.
For more information about measles, see:
- Information about measles on the BCCDC website
- Data and reports on the Vaccine Preventable Diseases tab
