Island Health confirms a third measles case on the South Island

Island Health has confirmed one new case of measles on the South Island. The health authority confirmed two cases last week. File photo.

Island Health has confirmed a new case of measles infection on the South Island, bringing the number to three in the region.

The health authority has alerted people who may have been exposed to measles at two locations last Saturday.

Island Health says anyone who was at either location during the specific times and is not immunized, or not up to date with vaccines, can call the Saanich Health Unit at 250-519-5100 to find out where to get vaccinated this week since it has been less than six days since exposure.

Last Friday, two measles cases were confirmed in Greater Victoria, but Island Health says the latest case does not appear to be related to those.

Island Health Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Richard Stanwick said the two people who contracted measles were both adults and had been vaccinated for the illness.

Stanwick said they both contracted the disease while travelling in Vietnam and one of the adults visited the Royal Jubilee Hospital three times.

Symptoms Island Health says people should watch for 21 days after possible exposure include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, diarrhea and red eyes.

That’s followed by a rash a few days later on the face and spreads to the chest.

If you develop symptoms, you are asked to call your health care provider before visiting them so the doctor can take precautions to prevent transmission of measles to others. Those who never had the measles infection, or who did not have two doses of the MMR vaccine, are at highest risk of measles.

More information is available via Island Health’s measles information lines:

South Island: 250-544-7676 ext. 27545

Nanaimo/Ladysmith/Gabriola: 250-755-3388

Courtenay/Comox Valley: 250-331-8599

Campbell River and area: 250-850-2120

Mt. Waddington/Port Hardy: 250-902-6079

Island Health says two doses of measles vaccine are 99 per cent effective at preventing measles.

One dose of vaccine is 95 per cent effective. Rarely, those who are fully immunized can get measles but they often have a milder illness and are less infectious to others.

Free vaccines are available at a local health unit, family doctor, and many pharmacists and Island Health says it is offering additional booked school age immunization appointments.

The health authority says in the last five weeks, 3,474 measles vaccinations have been administered and is more than double the previous year.

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