Island Health warns of measles in Nanaimo
Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Island Health has confirmed a single measles case in the Nanaimo region.
Island Health Public Health is following up directly with individuals who are known to have been exposed to the case at specific locations.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, July 21, Island Health stated that the risk to the broader public is considered low.
However, if someone was at a number of locations during certain times, they may have been exposed to measles.
This includes Woodgrove Centre on July 12 between 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., specifically in Lululemon, Booster Juice and SportChek.
If the person was not in one of these specific stores during the time, the risk to them is extremely low, Island Health noted.
Additional sites include the indoor check-in area at the Beban Park Golf Course, on July 12 between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
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 symptoms develop, people are instructed to stay home and avoid contact with others.
They are asked to inform their health-care provider, urgent-care centre or hospital before they visit so they can take precautions to mitigate the risk of spreading measles to others.
People are asked to wear a mask if they need to visit a clinic, lab or hospital.
People who are at risk of getting measles are those who have never had the disease before, 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, Island Health recommends that, if they were born in 1970 or later and have not had two doses of measles vaccine, they should get a booster dose of measles vaccine.
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 someone is in one of these groups and may have been exposed, they are asked to call their local public health team as soon as possible.
Island Health notes that may be advised to receive a medication that can prevent measles disease. This is also provided free of charge.
If someone may have been exposed and has not been vaccinated against measles or are unsure, are immunocompromised, have an exposed child under one year of age, or are pregnant, they are asked to call 250-519-3575.
robert.barron@nanaimobulletin.com