Interior Health has confirmed a single measles case in Kamloops.
Interior Health is following up directly with individuals who are known to have been exposed to the case as part of normal contact tracing. The risk to the broader public is considered low.
However, if you were at the following locations during the time listed below, you may have been exposed to measles:
- Denny’s Restaurant
- 570 Columbia St, Kamloops, BC
- Exposure Date & Time: June 16, 2025 between 12:00 and 2:45 p.m.
- Aberdeen Mall
- 1320 Trans-Canada Hwy, Kamloops, BC
- Exposure Date & Time: June 16, 2025 between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.
- Earls Restaurant
- 1210 Summit Dr, Kamloops, BC
- Exposure Date & Time: June 16, 2025 between 6:30 and 11:30 p.m.
- Shoppers Drug Mart
- 1210 Summit Dr, Kamloops, BC
- Exposure Date & Time: June 16, 2025 between 9:30 p.m. and 11:35 p.m.
- Castles and Cottages
- 347 Victoria St, Kamloops, BC
- Exposure Date & Time: June 18, 2025 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
This is the first confirmed measles case in the Interior in 2025. However, there are other cases around the province which may impact people in this region as they travel during the summer. For a full list of exposure locations across BC, please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control website. This will be updated with any possible exposures for flights and airports, as well as potential exposures at BC Ferries.
Measles is a highly infectious disease transmitted by airborne spread. Most people in Canada will be immune to measles due to prior immunization or previous infection.
Individuals exposed to the measles virus should monitor for symptoms that may develop up to three weeks after being exposed. These include 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.
If you develop symptoms of measles, please inform your health care provider or hospital before you visit them so they can take precautions to prevent spreading measles to others.
People who are at risk of getting measles are:
- Those who have never had measles disease, and
- Those who have not had two doses of a measles vaccine on or after 12 months of age.
For people who are not fully protected against measles and may have been exposed, we recommend:
- If you were born in 1970 or later and have not had two doses of measles vaccine, you should get a booster dose of measles vaccine. It is most effective if received within three days of being exposed but still can be received after that.
- Certain people should not get the measles vaccine. These include babies less than six months of age, pregnant people, and people with certain immune conditions. If you, or your child, are in one of these groups, please call your local Public Health team as soon as possible and no later than six days after being exposed. You may be advised that you, or your child, receive a medication that can prevent measles disease. This is also provided free of charge.
If you may have been exposed and have not been vaccinated against measles or are unsure, are immunocompromised, have an exposed child under one year of age, or are pregnant, please call 1-855-549-6364 and leave a message. The IH communicable disease team who will review your vaccine history, determine your immunity to measles, and provide recommendations.
Protect yourself and your family
The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against measles is to ensure vaccinations are up to date. To check your vaccination status please visit interiorhealth.ca/measles.
The measles vaccine is free in B.C. You can get the vaccine at your local community health centre. To book an appointment in Kamloops please call public health at 250-851-7300.
Some family physicians may also provide immunizations. Community Pharmacists in B.C. are able to immunize children as young as four years of age. However, it is important to call the pharmacy to book an appointment as some pharmacies do not provide immunizations for young children.
Two doses of measles vaccine are almost 100 per cent effective in preventing this serious illness and last a lifetime. Immunizations are the best defence against measles and other infectious diseases.
For additional information on measles, go to Measles | HealthLink BC.
