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WHITEHORSE, YT – The Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Yukon Communicable Disease Control have warned of a potential measles exposure linked to Vancouver International Airport, and Air Canada Flight 66, which arrived there last Tuesday, February 11th, 2025.
The warning echoes a notice from the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control on February 15th, which confirmed a new case of measles in the Lower Mainland linked to a traveler returning abroad from Southeast Asia.
The exposure risk is related to those who had travelled on, or associated with a passenger who had traveled on, Air Canada Flight 66, which had arrived in Vancouver on February 11th, as well those who had spent time at the Airport’s international arrivals area, including customs or the baggage claim, from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Tuesday, February 11th.
Both the Yukon Communicable Disease Control and the Chief Medical Officer of Health say Yukoners who may have been on this flight, or who may have been in contact with affected individuals, should monitor for measle symptoms, which typically appear 7 to 21 days after exposure.
They’ve also asked anyone who may have been exposed that would be considered a high-risk for severe illness to contact the Communicable Disease Control for guidance at 867-667-8323.
Symptoms of measles include a high fever of 38.3°C or more, a cough, runny nose or red eyes, and a telltale red, blotchy rash which appears 3 to 7 days after the fever.
High risk groups include those who are pregnant, immunocompromised, infants under 6 months, as well as those without two doses of the measles vaccine, and those who have never had measles before.
Anyone who develops symptoms has been asked to self-isolate immediately, and to contact the Yukon Communicable Disease Control, 811, or their local health center for advice before visiting any health care facility or provider.
