Residents who were passing through Vancouver International Airport earlier this month may want to watch for symptoms of measles, warns Alberta Health Services.
An airline passenger who was infected with the disease flew out of Vancouver to Edmonton on February 12th, potentially spreading the diseases as they travelled.
Confirmed case of measles exposure in Edmonton prompts public alert to potential exposures. https://t.co/QN3XqMppaw
— Alberta Health Services (@AHS_media) February 24, 2019
The passenger flew out of YVR on Air Canada Flight AC236, and while the entire airport was not contagious, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) highlights specific times and areas that people may have come in contact with the disease.
Here is the timeline that VCH has provided:
| February 11 | Arrived in Vancouver at approximately 4pm | Philippine Airlines Flight PR 116, landed at YVR |
| February 11 | 4pm – 7pm | YVR, international arrivals and customs areas |
| February 11 | 5pm – 7pm (approximate) | Shuttle Bus from YVR to La Quinta Inn. Richmond |
| February 12 | 8:30am – 10:30am (approximate) | Shuttle Bus from YVR to La Quinta Inn, Richmond |
| February 12 | 9am – 12:30pm | YVR, Air Canada domestic departures area |
| February 16 | 6pm – 10pm | Little Ongpin Restaurant, Richmond |
| February 17 | 11am – 9pm | Toys R Us, Lansdowne Centre, Richmond |
| February 18 | 11am – 9pm | Toys R Us, Lansdowne Centre, Richmond |
Anyone who was at these locations at the time is encouraged to monitor themselves for symptoms of measles for 21 days, which could be up to March 5th.
Symptoms include cough, fever, runny nose, inflamed eyes, and a red rash that can appear on the face, neck, arms, and legs.
If measles symptoms do develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call local emergency health services before visiting a healthcare facility or provider.
As of Monday, 13 people have been infected in Vancouver and and 65 have contracted the diseases in Washington State.
See also:
- 70% of Canadians want mandatory vaccinations for children entering school (REPORT)
- Vaccination rates for measles have dropped by 12% in six years on Vancouver Island
