Health officials in British Columbia have confirmed two new travel-related cases of measles in the Lower Mainland, bringing the total number of recent infections to four.
Fraser Health reports that both newly infected individuals traveled in the same group from South Korea as another person whose measles infection was identified earlier this week. These cases are unrelated to an infection last month involving a Vancouver Coastal Health resident who contracted measles after visiting Southeast Asia.
Officials have expanded the list of potential exposure sites, including Vancouver International Airport, a Burnaby supermarket, and a Coquitlam restaurant.
Fraser Health is urging the public to ensure their vaccinations are up to date, particularly ahead of spring break. The latest cases were reported on Friday, just a day after another measles case was confirmed, adding to growing concerns about the outbreak.
Members of the public may have been exposed if they were on Korean Air flight KE75 from Seoul to Vancouver on Feb. 17 or in Vancouver International Airport between 3:20 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. the same day. Additional exposure locations include:
- PriceSmart supermarket at 9899 Austin Road, Burnaby, on Feb. 20 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.
- Big Way Hot Pot restaurant in Coquitlam on Feb. 28 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Royal Columbian Hospital Emergency Department from 2:30 p.m. on March 3 to 2:30 a.m. on March 4.
Public health officials are actively reaching out to individuals known to have been exposed. They advise anyone who may have been in these locations to monitor for symptoms for up to three weeks, including fever, dry cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash.
Measles Cases on the Rise Globally
Canada has reported 227 measles cases so far in 2025, surpassing the total number of cases recorded in all of 2024 within just the first two months of the year. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) attributes this increase to a global surge in infections, with most cases in Canada occurring in New Brunswick, Ontario, Québec, and Manitoba. Many infected individuals have required hospitalization.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease, though most people in Canada have immunity due to vaccination or prior infection. Symptoms typically develop up to three weeks after exposure.
Source: Swifteradio.com
