Second Measles Case Confirmed in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, Linked to Recent Travel

Health officials in British Columbia have confirmed a second case of measles in the Lower Mainland, linked to a resident who recently traveled to Southeast Asia and was in the same party as the first confirmed case. Both individuals were on Air Canada Flight 66, which arrived at Vancouver International Airport on February 11, where the public may have been exposed between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Measles is highly contagious and can cause severe complications, including encephalitis, with one in 3,000 cases potentially resulting in death. Vancouver Coastal Health advises individuals who are not fully vaccinated or have not had measles to monitor for symptoms and consider getting a booster vaccine. Despite these cases, there have been no recent local transmissions reported, although there is an increase in measles activity globally. Health authorities are contacting individuals who may have been exposed to ensure public safety.