Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a warning about a possible measles exposure.
Anyone from Powell River who attended Skookum Festival, Noodlebox Mount Pleasant restaurant, an outdoor community block party or used public transit in Vancouver should see a doctor if they are not already immunized or have not had measles in the past.
According to a statement from VCH, it has been confirmed that a person who attended certain events and locations in Vancouver from September 8 to 11 is confirmed to have measles and may have potentially exposed others to the highly infectious, airborne disease.
Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the chest.
People who are not fully immunized against measles or who have never had the disease are at risk and should contact a doctor immediately, according to VCH, and immunization should be done within six days of exposure to prevent getting measles.
VCH has identified the events and locations as:
Saturday, September 8 - Skookum Festival, Stanley Park, 5 pm to 1 am
Saturday, September 8 - Aquabus from Olympic Village to Hornby Street, approximate trip start was 3 pm
Saturday, September 8 - Canada Line SkyTrain from Vancouver City Centre to Broadway/City Hall Station, 11 pm to 1 am
Sunday, September 9 - Outdoor Community Block Party at 1188 Quebec Street, 1 to 3 pm
Sunday, September 9 - Main Street bus from Terminal Station to Broadway, 3 to 5 pm
Tuesday, September 11 - Noodlebox Mount Pleasant, 2511 Main Street, noon to 6 pm
Anyone who may have contracted measles from this exposure on the dates listed above would begin developing symptoms between September 15 and September 29, according to VCH.
Infants under one year of age, pregnant women and people with immune problems should not get the MMR vaccine and instead immediately consult their doctor or call VCH Public Health at 604.675.3900.
