1st case of measles reported in B.C. over the weekend: Health Ministry

One case of measles was reported in B.C. over the weekend, the provincial Ministry of Health confirmed in a statement Monday morning.

One case of measles was reported in B.C. over the weekend, the provincial Ministry of Health confirmed in a statement Monday morning.

This weekend's confirmed case is the first the province has recorded since 2019. As of Feb. 29, nine other cases of the disease have been confirmed across Canada.

B.C.'s Health Ministry announced the case in a statement warning locals to confirm their immunization records, especially before going on spring break trips.

"With measles outbreaks being reported internationally and spring break on the horizon, the provincial health officer, BC Centre for Disease Control and public health officials are reminding people in British Columbia to check their vaccination records before travelling to ensure they are protected," the statement said.

Globally, measles cases are on the rise. The World Health Organization reported a 79-per-cent increase in cases in 2023, compared to 2022. The Public Health Agency of Canada said last month there has been a "notable recent increase" in cases in Europe.

B.C. hasn't recorded any cases of measles in several years. In 2019, which is the last time the disease was reported in the province, 31 cases were recorded.

That year, several cases in the province were linked to travel from the Philippines and Vietnam, where large outbreaks were happening at the time. Other cases were linked to travel from the United States. Just under half of the 2019 cases were among youth aged 19 and younger.