A traveller who was infected with measles and passed through Vancouver International Airport in recent weeks has prompted a warning from health officials to other passengers.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, the person with measles arrived at YVR on July 30 from Tokyo on Air Canada flight 0004 at around 9:25 a.m. The passenger stayed at the airport until about 2:45 p.m., then boarded Air Canada Jazz flight 8125 to Portland. On Aug. 6, the traveller visited YVR again, arriving on Alaska Airlines flight 2536 from Oregon. Later that same day, they departed on a Norwegian Cruise Lines ship headed to Alaska.
“Measles is a highly infectious disease transmitted by airborne spread,” said BCCDC in a media release. “Passengers, crew and travellers who may have come into contact with measles are asked to check their immunization status.”
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and a rash that begins on the face then spreads to the limbs.
“Infected individuals are likely to develop symptoms within seven to 21 days of being exposed,” said BCCDC. “If a traveller has been infected with measles from this event, symptoms would develop by about Aug. 27.”
Anyone who travelled through YVR and suspects they are exhibiting these symptoms is urged to contact their doctor. Inform them that you may have been exposed to the measles, so they can ensure you are seen in a way that avoid infecting others.
More information can be found on BCCDC's website.
