Two new cases of measles; infected people visited YVR, Toys R Us in Richmond

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – YVR international arrivals and customs areas, domestic departures, a shuttle bus, and the Toys R Us at Lansdowne Centre in Richmond are among the places people may have been exposed to measles this month.

Vancouver Coastal Health has confirmed two new cases of measles in Vancouver, bringing the total to 13 this year.

Both people who were infected caught the disease abroad, and the cases aren’t linked to the outbreak at French-language schools in Vancouver. One infected person lives in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, the other passed through Richmond and YVR on the way to Edmonton and Northwest Territories.

YVR is asking anyone who was at the airport on Feb. 11 or 12 and who may be experiencing symptoms, to contact VCH.

Locations people may have been exposed to measles

VCH is asking that anyone who visited possible exposure locations to monitor their symptoms for 21 days after the exposure date. Those include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, followed later by a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the chest. If you develop symptoms, you’re asked to contact your doctor before visiting them so they can make precautions ahead of your visit. You’re also asked to call VCH Public Health at 1-855-675-3900.

An Alberta lab confirmed the case had been traced back to an Air Canada flight that traveled from Vancouver to Edmonton on Feb. 12 at 10:25 a.m, flight AC 236.

After leaving YVR, the patient stayed at a hotel and visited several locations near the Edmonton Airport, before flying to Inuvik, in the Northwest Territories, the next day.

Officials in the Northwest Territories also issued a statement, saying the person flew to Inuvik from an “international destination” on Feb. 13, and that their travels took them through Yellowknife and Norman Wells, N.W.T., the same day.

RELATED: Measles exposure in Alberta

Measles at first presents with flu-like symptoms, coughing, a runny nose and red eyes, but then a fever develops, followed by the distinctive rash.

“Measles is a highly infectious disease that spreads through the air. Close contact is not needed for transmission. The disease can also be spread through sharing food, drinks, cigarettes, or kissing an infected person,” a release from VCH says.

People who are at the highest risk of infection are those who have never been vaccinated or only had one measles shot. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines taken within three to six days of being exposed provides some protection as well, according to VCH. People who are pregnant, immune compromised and under one year of age can get a medicine called globulin that reduces risk of severe illness if you get the shot within six days of being exposed.

Free measles vaccine locations

Free vaccines against measles are available at some community health centres, the City Centre Urgent Primary Care Centre, and family doctors and walk-in clinics. Some pharmacies also offer vaccines for children over five years old. Call ahead to make sure vaccines are available.

Vancouver

London Drugs # 2
710 Granville Street

London Drugs # 4
525 West Broadway

City Centre Urgent Primary Care Centre
1290 Hornby Street

Richmond

Shoppers Drug Mart
11800 Cambie Road

Shoppers Drug Mart
6060 Minoru Blvd

Shoppers Drug Mart
5555 Gilbert Rd

Terra Nova Medical Clinic
6011 No 1 Rd #140

Squamish

London Drugs

Shoppers Drug Mart

Loblaws

Nesters Pharmacy

Whistler  

Nesters Pharmacy

Shoppers Drug Mart

Rexall Marketplace

Rexall Village Square

Pemberton

Frontier Pharmacy

– With files from the Canadian Press.