People aboard a BC ferry from Tsawwaseen to Mayne Island on Aug. 31 may have been exposed to measles

Student with the measles showed up at Maple Ridge Secondary School this week

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Passengers on a BC Ferries sailing from Tsawwassen to Mayne Island over the long weekend may have been exposed to measles.

Fraser Health confirmed a case of measles on a 7 p.m. sailing on Friday, Aug. 31. The person carrying the disease was infectious on the voyage.

“If you travelled on this ferry during this time period, check your immunization status. You are most at risk of measles infection if you are completely unvaccinated against measles,” says Fraser Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Ingrid Tyler.

Island Health is also warning that the same traveler is believed to have visited Saturna Lighthouse Pub on Saturna Island on Sept. 3 between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

This case is linked to a measles alert at Maple Ridge Secondary School.

Measles is very infectious and people who are not immunized are at risk of contracting the disease.

Case confirmed at Maple Ridge school

There’s been a confirmed case of measles at Maple Ridge Secondary School.

Irena Prochop with the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District says, as a precaution, a vaccination clinic is being held at the school today.

“They’ve asked students and staff from MRSS who have not had measles before and do not have vaccinations — it’s two vaccinations they need to have — to come in.”

She adds the anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1970 who meet the above criteria should visit the clinic.

Another one might be held tomorrow, but it will be off-site. If that clinic goes ahead, the information will be posted on the school’s website.

Prochop says the student with the confirmed case showed up at school on Tuesday.

It usually takes about 10 days for measles symptoms to appear, but it may take up to 21 days before you notice them.

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a rash that starts centrally including on the face and spreads to the limbs. The rash lasts at least three days.