Public Health officials are alerting residents in Northeast British Columbia, specifically in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, about potential measles exposure at several locations and flights during late September and early October.
Potential exposure occurred on Air Canada flight 8368 from Fort St. John to Vancouver on October 6th at 9:50 a.m., and on flight 8274 from Vancouver to Kelowna the same day at 12:50 p.m.
Locally in Dawson Creek, exposure sites include Rotary Manor on the evening of October 5th, where individuals were present from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Between September 30th and October 4th, the 2nd Floor inpatient unit at Dawson Creek Hospital saw potential exposure during daily visits from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hospital’s ultrasound department and waiting area were also impacted on October 3rd from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the emergency room was a concern on October 6th between 2:05 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. In addition, the Primerica Client Appreciation Banquet held in Dawson Creek on October 3rd is listed as a potential exposure site.
Anyone who may have been exposed should monitor for symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and rash. For current case updates, prevention guidelines, and more information, residents are encouraged to visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website. Public Health stresses the importance of vigilance to prevent further spread of measles in the community.
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