Image Credit: CDC

By Dylana Kneeshaw

MMR VACCINATIONS

No confirmed measles infections reported in Interior Health; cases rise elsewhere

Mar 19, 2025 | 4:26 PM

KAMLOOPS — A disease that had been largely eradicated by vaccines in North America has been infecting a growing number of Canadians.

Reports of measles cases have been cited in a number of provinces, including B.C. Health Canada states that while vaccination rates in this country are high, they are currently below the necessary threshold for community immunity in some locations.

Measles is extremely contagious, but medical professionals say it is also preventable. Dr. Sanaz Vaseghi, a Medical Health Officer for the Interior Health Authority, says the recent rise in measles cases is cause for concern amongst public health officials.

“B.C. has seen five confirmed cases of measles, all travel-related and the majority of them, unvaccinated. (All) in the past couple of months,” she explains. “We have not had a confirmed case of measles in Interior Health yet, fortunately.”

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According to Health Canada data, so far there have been 224 confirmed and probable measles cases reported across the country since the start of 2025. Over the same nine-week time frame last year, there were only 17 cases reported.

“The complications can vary from ear infection to more severe outcomes such as brain inflammation, seizures, deafness, intellectual disability and even death. And we know that death has been reported in recent cases of measles in the U.S., so it can actually become very serious.”

Asked why the cases are climbing, Dr. Vaseghi says there are a few reasons for the resurgence.

“We know the pandemic caused some disruption in the childhood immunization program, and the other concerning factor would be the availability and rapid spread of misinformation about vaccination,” she adds, imploring people to utilize trusted and valid sources.

Parents CFJC crews spoke to were on top of scheduling routine immunizations for their children and were surprised to hear of recent measles infections.

“I thought it was done years ago, but I guess not. I get my shots as needed. Do you get your shots?” one parent said to his daughter.

“Yeah.” she replies.

“Yeah? Do you like it?”

“No.”

“No,” he nods. “But what can you do? You can’t not go to the playground.”

“In Edmonton, I read there were some measles this morning,” another woman commented. “Yeah, vaccinations are important.”

“I think it’s really concerning for anyone who’s travelling, especially,” added another parent, “but I think, you know… I’m a big believer in vaccinations, so I would encourage everyone to get their vaccinations and keep everyone safe.”

According to data from the BC Centre for Disease Control, 85 per cent of two-year-olds in the Community Health Services Areas of Kamloops Centre North and Kamloops Centre South have received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Interior Health says the two-dose series is readily available through the public health unit along Columbia Street and participating pharmacies.

“The good thing about measles is it is a vaccine preventable disease. There is a vaccine for measles which is safe and highly effective,” reiterates Dr. Vaseghi.