Vancouver Reports Measles Exposures

MMR vaccinations suggested for Vancouver British Columbia area residents not immunized for measles
Canada (Precision Vaccinations News)

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is warning anyone who visited 5 locations between September 8 to 12, 2018 or used Vancouver public transit at specific times, about a possible measles exposure.

This measles alert is related to an individual who attended the Skookum festival, as well as other events and Vancouver locations, has been confirmed to have measles.

This means people in close proximity to that person were potentially exposed to the measles virus.

Anyone who may have contracted measles from this exposure on the dates listed above would begin developing these symptoms between September 15 and September 29.

The specific locations are as follows: 

  • Saturday, Sept. 8 - Skookum Festival, Stanley Park, 5 p.m. – 1 a.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 8 - Aquabus from Olympic Village to Hornby Street, the approximate trip start was 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 8 – Canada Line SkyTrain from Vancouver City Centre to Broadway-City Hall Station, 11 p.m. – 1 a.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 9 - Outdoor Community Block Party at 1188 Quebec Street, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, Sept. 9 - Main Street bus from Terminal Station to Broadway, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Sept. 11 – Noodlebox Mount Pleasant (2511 Main Street) – Noon – 6 p.m.

If you have not been fully immunized with 2 doses of a measles vaccine, such as MMR, nor have had the measles in the past, you should see your doctor, nurse or pharmacist immediately, said VCH in a press release.

If you were born before January 1, 1970, you are likely to be immune. If you were born between 1970 and 1994, or grew up outside of B.C., you may have received only 1 dose of the MMR vaccine and require a 2nd vaccine dose to be fully protected. 

In Vancouver, people can get the MMR vaccine for free at your doctor’s office, pharmacy, or local community health center.

Infants under 1 year of age, pregnant women, and people with immune problems should not get the MMR vaccine and instead immediately consult their doctor or call VCH Public Health at 604-675-3900.

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the chest, said VCH.

VCH delivers services to more than 1 million British Columbia residents living in communities including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella, and Bella Coola.

For more information about the Vancouver alert, please visit the Measles health topic page.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says most measles cases in the USA are related to international travel.

This means most measles cases are brought back to the USA by unvaccinated people who get infected during a trip to a measles endemic country.

The CDC has issued measles Watch Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions for various countries.

International travelers can easily request a vaccination appointment with a pharmacy at Vax-Before-Travel.

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides private sector vaccine prices for general information.

And, MMR vaccine discounts can be found here.

Measles vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.

 

Our Trust Standards: Medical Advisory Committee

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