Canada Line, Langara college possible measles exposure sites as new cases confirmed

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you took the Canada Line recently, went to a gym in Richmond or were at Langara College, you may have been exposed to the measles virus, that is coming from Vancouver Coastal Health this hour as it confirms two additional cases.

There are now 10 confirmed cases associated with the current outbreak across the Lower Mainland, eight of those cases were previously linked to three Vancouver schools. One unrelated measles case was identified in Vancouver earlier in February.

Vancouver Coastal Health says it’s trying to figure out the exact source of exposure. It says places that may be the source of contamination include the Canada Line at certain stations at particular times and dates, at least one gym in Richmond, the tech building at Langara College, and a spa in Whistler.

Timeline of possible exposure shared by VCH:

The health authority adds people going north or south on the Canada Line during that time may have been exposed.

“These locations include Russell Sean Fitness in Richmond, the Canada Line and certain stations at particular times and dates, Langara College tech building, the Sports Check in Richmond, the Starbucks in Steveston on Number 1 Road, Dave’s Fish and Chips in Steveston, the Scandinave Spa in Whistler and the McDonald’s restaurant in Squamish,” said Dr. Althea Hayden with VCH.

She also says there may be other locations where people may have possibly been exposed, noting staff have been directly notifying them.

RELATED: Petition asks for mandatory vaccines in B.C.

“Measles is a highly infectious disease that spreads through the air. Close contact is not needed for transmission. The disease can also be spread through sharing food, drinks, cigarettes, or kissing an infected person,” read a release from VCH.

Hayden says no shortage of #measles vaccine available and she’s pleased there’s been a big spike in people who may be under-vaccinated reaching out to make sure they are safe. She reiterates current levels of immunity are better than 95%. @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) February 23, 2019

Exposure confirmed at Langara College

Langara College is confirming there has been a measles exposure at the college campus. Anyone who was at the schools’ Science and Technology Building between 9:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Friday Feb. 15 may have been exposed.

No one is being asked to stay home just yet, but if it turns out the disease has spread on campus, people who aren’t immunized against measles will be asked to stay home.

Mark Dawson with the school says they will be keeping on top of the situation.

“Over the weekend our various departments at the college will continue to stay in touch with Vancouver Coastal Health, and help them reach out to anybody in our community if necessary,” he says. “We’ve updated our community and we’re just continuing to take our lead from VCH.”

For now, he says there’s no reason to believe it’s spread further at this time.

If you’re showing symptoms you’re asked to call a public health nurse or communicable disease control at VCH.

-With files from Marcella Bernardo