Measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by the measles virus.

Measles is spread through air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can survive in the air for up to two hours. Measles is so contagious that if one person has it, nine out of 10 people around him will become infected if they are not protected. A person can spread measles from four days before developing the measles rash to four days after the rash starts. That means you can spread measles before knowing you have it.

Measles usually starts with a cough, cold-like symptoms, red eyes and a fever. These symptoms are followed three to four days later by a rash that begins on the face and spreads all over the body. An infected person may also experience small bluish white spots in their mouth (Koplik spots).

Complications of measles can be serious. One out of 10 cases will have infections of the ear (otitis) or lungs (pneumonia). Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) occurs in about one of every 1,000 cases. Encephalitis can cause seizures, deafness or permanent brain damage. One person in every 3,000 measles cases dies of complications. Complications and deaths are most common in infants less than 12 months of age.

The best way to not get measles is to get immunized. The measles vaccine is combined with the mumps and rubella vaccines (MMR) to give protection against all three diseases with one vaccine. The measles vaccine can also be combined with the mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine (MMRV) for children aged four to 12. The MMR and MMRV vaccines are safe. It is much safer to get the vaccine than to get the disease. When you get immunized, you help protect others as well.

• The measles vaccine is routinely given for free (publicly funded) in two doses:
  • The first dose is given as the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 months of age.
  • The second dose is given around the time of starting school (at four to six years) as the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
• Individuals born after 1970 who have not been immunized or had measles disease should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. Children aged four to 12 years of age may receive the MMRV vaccine if varicella vaccine is also required.
• Individuals born before 1970 are generally assumed to have acquired immunity to measles through natural infection. Individuals who have not had measles disease and have never received MMR vaccine, should receive one dose.
• Get immunized against measles by making an appointment at your local public health unit, with your primary care provider or pharmacist (for those four years of age and older).
• To review your immunization records, visit www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca.

What should I know before travelling?

• Early vaccination is strongly recommended for families embarking on travel to measles endemic areas. This is generally for international travel.
• Infants: Children 6-11 months of age should be offered an early dose of MMR for protection. This dose will not count towards their series, but it will protect against travel-related infection. It will need to be repeated at 12 months of age.
• Young children with one dose: Children who will be travelling and have received their first dose of measles vaccine at age 12 months should receive their second dose early, ensuring a minimum of 4 weeks between the first and second dose.
• Older children and adults who are born after January 1, 1970, and will be travelling should be offered an MMR vaccination if they are not certain they have had two previous doses.

Residents of Fraser East (Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope), call 604-702-4906

Residents in any other area of Fraser Health, call 604-476-7087 

Hours of operation: Monday to Friday (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)

Note: When making an appointment with Public Health, you will be offered a text message reminder through the ImmunizeBC text message reminder system. 

For more information about measles and the MMR/MMRV vaccines, go to: 

• Immunize Canada: Diseases and vaccines
  Learn more about diseases that can be prevented by routine immunizations. 
• HealthLink BC: Measles
  Information about measles. Available in English, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese.   
• B.C. Centre for Disease Control: Measles
  Information about measles for the general public and health professionals. 
• I Boost Immunity
  Earn a vaccine for someone in need by answering a quiz.
• Kids Boost Immunity
  Curated lessons with interactive quizzes that mirror your province's science, health and social studies curriculum – all for free. For every quiz that students complete, they will earn a vaccine for someone in need.
• HealthLink BC: Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine
  MMR information is available in English, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese. 
• HealthLink BC: Measles, Mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine
  MMRV is given to children four to 12 years of age who need protection against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. Information is available in English, Chinese, Farsi, French, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese.
• Caring for Kids: Measles
  Information for parents from Canada’s paediatricians.

Related news

• B.C. residents advised to check their immunization records ahead of spring travel.