Measles Prevention Resources

Photo by Giorgio Trovato

The Childcare BC Bulletin advises that child care centres should take precautionary steps to help protect the health of children and staff at their centres. The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has provided measles guidance for child care providers and resources on preventative measures to take against measles.

The Childcare BC Bulletin can be found at this link.

The five-page downloadable/printable guidelines for child care centres produced by BCCDC for child care sites and included in the Childcare BC August 25th Bulletin stresses the importance of ensuring people’s immunity status is recorded in advance to help ensure the safety of everyone and minimize disruptions to the childcare experience, noting, however, that “Indigenous families have often experienced unjust and racist treatment within the health care system. These experiences can deeply influence how individuals and communities engage with public health efforts, including conversations around measles and immunizations. It is essential to approach these discussions with respect, empathy, and cultural sensitivity, recognizing the historical and ongoing impacts of systemic racism.”

The bulletin gives detailed instructions on:

  • The ways in which people are considered fully immune to measles

  • Symptoms of measles

  • How to be prepared for measles

  • Symptom and exposure reporting

  • Actions to take in the event you suspect measles in a child or staff member at your daycare

  • Where to find more information

  • The First Nations Health Authority provides information on their website at this link. Information covered includes:

  • What is measles?

  • How measles spreads

  • Do your part to protect your community against measles

  • Resources

The BC Centre for Disease Control provides detailed information on measles for the general public, updated weekly, at https://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/measles. Including:

  • Key information

  • Case count and exposure locations

  • How it spreads

  • Immunization and prevention 

  • Symptoms

  • If you have been exposed

  • If you become ill

  • Contacting your local public health unit

For updates on know measles exposure locations in BC and an exposure risk assessment tool, please visit the Measles Exposures and Self-Assessment Tool at this link.

Government, Injury Prevention, ResourcesJessica Campbell