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Four cases of measles diagnosed in residents of Whistler and Pemberton during the past week
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Three cases of measles in the North Shore and Bowen Island in June, 2013
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Potential exposure of British Columbians to a confirmed case of measles at SeaTac International
Airport between 12-4pm on July 4
While no cases of measles have been identified in Fraser, we anticipate increased travel across the province and across the border during the summer. Please maintain vigilance for measles, especially among susceptible patients presenting with a febrile rash illness with cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis and with a potential exposure history.
We are advising the public to ensure that their measles immunization is up to date. Please see below for immunization recommendations for all patients in BC:
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For those born January 1, 1970 and onwards, two doses of MMR vaccine are recommended
o Many adults born between 1970 and 1994 would have had only one dose as part of their routine childhood immunizations, and require a second dose of MMR vaccine. If a patient is uncertain of their immunization history, an MMR vaccine is safe and recommended.
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Those born before 1970 are likely to be immune to measles due to exposure to wild virus. However, if the patient is not certain they had measles infection, a dose of MMR vaccine is safe, recommended, and can be provided for free.
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Two doses of MMR are recommended for health care workers born January 1, 1957 and onwards.
If a patient presents with a history of fever and rash, please ask them to wear a mask, and place them in a private room as soon as possible. Suspect patients in the Emergency Room should be placed under Airborne Precautions. If you suspect measles, please collect a throat swab and/or urine for measles virus isolation and blood for serologic testing (measles IgG and IgM). Physicians who suspect measles are asked to call your local Public Health Unit while the patient is still in the office, to initiate immediate public health follow-up. After office hours please call 604-527-4806, and ask for the Medical Health Officer on-call.
For more information about measles, please visit: