The B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) released a public health alert on July 4 about an airplane passenger who arrived in Vancouver with a case of measles.

The individual left New Delhi, India, at 11:55 a.m. on June 23 and arrived in Guangzhou, China, at 7:40 p.m. on June 23 (on Chinese Southern flight CZ 3028).

The passenger transferred to Chinese Southern flight CZ 377, which left Guangzhou at 12:50 a.m. on June 24 and flew to Vancouver, arriving at 9:30 p.m. on June 23.

Travellers and crew on those flights and those in proximity to the individual at the airport on June 23 may have been exposed, and are asked to check their immunization status. The most at risk are those who have never been vaccinated, including babies under one year of age.

Measles is highly infectious and can be transmitted by air.

It can take from seven to 21 days for symptoms to develop, and those exposed in this case may develop symptoms by July 15.

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash (usually starting centrally, such as on the face, before spreading to limbs, and last about three or more days).

Anyone who develops symptoms is asked to call your doctor or a public-health unit before visiting to make arrangements to avoid infecting others in public. To find a public-health unit in B.C., visit the Immunize B.C. website. 

Those who have concerns about measles exposure but don't have symptoms can call 811 to contact HealthLink BC to speak with a nurse.

Further information about measles and measles vaccination is available the HealthLink BC or Vancouver Coastal Health websites.