First measles case in BC Interior confirmed in Kamloops

Interior Health has confirmed that someone in Kamloops has measles and it’s warning the public.

This is the first measles case in the Interior in 2025, but a few cases have been found in other parts of B.C., according to an Interior Health press release.

Interior Health is following up with people who have been exposed, but it said the public health risk is low. Most Canadians are immune to measles because of vaccines or previous infection.

People who have never had measles, or weren’t vaccinated twice before and after 12 months of age, could get infected.

There are a few places in Kamloops that could have been exposed by this case of measles, so if you were there at the given time you might have come in contact with the virus.

Locations around Kamloops could have been exposed to measles on June 16 are: Denny’s Restaurant at 570 Columbia Street between 12 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., Aberdeen Mall between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., Earls Restaurant between 6:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., and Shoppers Drug Mart at 1210 Summit Drive between 9:30 p.m. and 11:35 p.m.

Another potential exposure location is Castles and Cottages at 347 Victoria St. between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on June 18.

Folks who have come in contact with the virus should monitor for symptoms that could develop up to three weeks after exposure including fever, dry cough, runny nose and red eyes; followed a few days later by a rash that usually starts on the face and spreads rapidly down to the rest of the body.

Anyone who develops measles symptoms has been asked to contact a health care provider or hospital before going in so they can take precautions to avoid spreading the virus to others.

Interior Health recommends people should get a booster vaccine if they were born after 1970 and didn’t get two doses of the measles vaccine.

Vaccines are free at your local community health centre and are available at some pharmacies.

Vaccines shouldn’t be given to babies under six months, pregnant women or people with certain immune conditions.

Interior Health said that two doses of the measles vaccine are almost 100 per cent effective at preventing serious illness and last a lifetime.

Click here for more information about measles.