Northern Health is warning members of the public in the Prince George area about a possible measles exposure that occurred at the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia (UHNBC).
In a Facebook post, the healthcare provider warned that there was a potential measles exposure at the UHNBC patient elevators on Tuesday, Aug. 12 between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Northern Health warns that if you believe you were exposed or were in the area of exposure during this period that you should monitor for symptoms.
Symptoms of measles include red blotchy rashes, fever, cough, runny nose and inflamed eyes, among others.
If you have any of these symptoms, consult with a healthcare provider; however, do not visit your doctor or a hospital, as you may risk exposure to others.
However, if you develop serious complications as a result of exposure, including difficulty breathing, confusion, persistent high fever of above 39.5 C, or dehydration, it is advised that you seek urgent medical attention.
It is advised that if you do need to seek treatment that you call before seeking medical assistance so staff can limit the potential exposure to others ahead of your treatment, Northern Health states.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, there have been 187 confirmed cases of measles in the past year.
Of those, 134 were reported in the Northern Health region, making it the health-care region with the most exposure by a wide margin, the CDC states.
As of an Aug 14. report from the BC CDC, there are a total of four active cases, all in the Northern Health region.
If you believe you have been exposed or are looking for more information, visit BCCDC’s website or Northern Health's website for information on immunizations and information
