July 10,2025
RED FM News Desk
Deputy Provincial Health Officer Dr. Martin Lavoie has stated that measles vaccination rates in British Columbia have dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday alongside Health Minister Josie Osborne and other officials, Dr. Lavoie emphasized that the province is making significant efforts to reverse this decline, which has contributed to a recent surge in measles cases.
As of Tuesday, health officials confirmed 102 measles cases in B.C., with 10 individuals requiring hospitalization. The majority of these cases are concentrated in the Northern Health region, primarily affecting individuals who are either unvaccinated or lack immunity from prior infection.
Dr. Lavoie likened the current outbreak to the major one seen in Fraser Valley in 2014, and cautioned that additional undetected cases are likely circulating within the community.
In response to widespread vaccine misinformation and public confusion, Dr. Lavoie said the province has reached out to over 30,000 people in the last two months, encouraging them to verify their vaccination status. As a result, more than 1,000 people updated their immunization records, and 576 received the measles vaccine—132 in May and 444 in June.
Across Canada, measles cases have climbed to their highest level in 27 years, with more than 3,700 confirmed cases. Alberta currently has the highest per capita rate in North America, with over 1,200 cases reported since March.
Although measles cases had sharply declined following the introduction of vaccines, the disease is resurging due to reduced vaccination coverage. Common symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, irritated eyes sensitive to light. These are typically followed by a rash that begins on the face and neck before spreading to the chest, arms, and legs. The rash usually lasts between four and seven days and may be accompanied by small white spots inside the mouth.
Symptoms generally appear within 7 to 21 days after exposure. Measles is a serious illness that can lead to complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and even death. Those diagnosed with measles are advised to isolate at home for at least four days after the rash appears.
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