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Measles infections continue to rise in northeast B.C., with new numbers showing the virus spreading through workplaces and public spaces around Fort St. John.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control reported 29 new confirmed and probable infections in the region as of Thursday, nine of which were considered active.
Recent exposure alerts have been issued for the local hospital, restaurants, banks, grocery stores, and businesses in the city’s airport area.
Several exposures have also been recorded at Dawson Creek’s hospital emergency room.
A full list of exposure locations can be found here.
Since an outbreak began in May, roughly 275 total cases have been recorded, mostly clustered in and around Fort St. John.
Health officials say the virus continues to spread quickly through unvaccinated families and believe the true number of infections is likely higher than reported.
While vaccination rates in the Peace region surged over the summer, they’ve slowed since the start of the school year.
Northern Health is continuing to urge families to get their measles shots as transmission remains high.
Officials expect Fort St. John will continue to see five or more new infections a day for the foreseeable future.
