The B.C. Centre for Disease Control is warning travellers of potential exposure to measles if they were at Vancouver International Airport earlier this month.
In a recent release, health officials said that a passenger with measles — a “highly infectious” disease — landed at YVR on October 16 and departed on a separate flight later that evening. Those who were on the same flights, or at the airport at the same time as the passenger, might have been exposed.
BC CDC specified that the passenger did not visit any restaurants or stores while at YVR and that they “arrived at Terminal M around 6 p.m. October 16 and left from gate B17 at 10:30 p.m.”
The passenger with measles travelled on these flights, to and from Vancouver International Airport:
- Philippine Airline PR16: Departed Manila at 8:20 p.m. local time on October 16, arrived at Vancouver International Airport at 5:30 p.m. PDT on October 16.
- WestJet WS724 /Philippine Airline PR3032: Departed Vancouver International Airport at 10:35 p.m. PDT on October 16, arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport at 6:09 a.m. EDT on October 17.
The passenger then travelled from Toronto Pearson to Fredericton International Airport, departing at about 2 p.m. EDT on October 17.
“Measles is highly infectious and transmitted by airborne spread but most people are immune to it thanks to immunization or natural infection. People born before 1970 or people who have had measles as a child are also immune. People who are most at risk of infection are those who are completely unvaccinated against the disease, including children under one year of age,” the release said.
Measles symptoms include a cough, fever, runny nose, red eyes, as well as a fresh that “which starts first on the face and neck, spreads to the chest, arms and legs and lasts about four to seven days.”
If someone is not immune and was exposed then they could get measles and develop symptoms within seven to 21 days of exposure.
BC CDC told people who suspect they have measles to call their healthcare provider and inform them, or call their local health unit and ask for the communicable disease nurse. People can also call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1.
This article’s cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
