The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is reporting a potential measles exposure at the Splatsin Community Centre.
The BCCDC says anyone who attended the faith-based gathering at the centre on Old Vernon Road in Enderby on June 7 and 8 may have been exposed to measles.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that is spread through the air and infected surfaces. People can become infected by breathing in droplets or touching objects contaminated with the virus.
Those who may have been exposed to measles should monitor for , which include fever, cough, runny nose, and red and inflamed eyes that are often sensitive to light. These symptoms are followed by a rash that starts on the face and neck and spreads to the chest, arms and legs. The rash lasts about four to seven days. There may also be small white spots inside the mouth, according to the BCCDC.
Cases of measles have been spreading across the province, including the Interior Health region, where five cases have been reported this year, three of which are currently active as of Thursday, June 26.
Most of B.C.'s reported cases have been in the Northern Health region (41), while Vancouver Coastal Health has seen eight cases, Fraser Health seven, and one case in the Island Health region.
According to the BCCDC, people who are not immune to measles may be asked to stay home and isolate if they have been exposed to the virus. People are considered immune if they have two doses of measles vaccines, have laboratory evidence of immunity or were born before 1970 (1957 for health care workers).
People who are most at risk of infection are those who are completely unvaccinated against the disease, including children under one year of age.
If you may have been exposed and have not previously been infected or are unvaccinated, are immunocompromised, have an exposed child under one year of age, or are pregnant, call 1-855-549-6364 and leave a message. The Interior Health communicable disease team will review your vaccine history, determine your immunity to measles, and provide recommendations.
Measles immunization records can be accessed through Health Gateway. Parents can set up and access records for children under 12 years old and clients 12 and over can set up their own Health Gateway account at
鈥� With files from Jacqueline Gelineau