Health authority issues warning as measles circulates in northeastern B.C. community

Advertisement

Advertise with us

FORT ST. JOHN - A health authority in northern British Columbia says measles is officially circulating in a remote community in the province's northeast. 

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/06/2025 (469 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FORT ST. JOHN – A health authority in northern British Columbia says measles is officially circulating in a remote community in the province’s northeast. 

Northern Health says multiple lab-confirmed cases of measles have been confirmed in Wonowon, about 89 kilometres northwest of Fort St. John, B.C.

It notes the first case appears to have been travel-related, but now says the virus has spread and has been circulating in the area since late May. 

A sign outside Southwestern Public Health in St. Thomas, Ont. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 warns residents to call ahead before visiting a doctor or hospital if they think they have the measles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins
A sign outside Southwestern Public Health in St. Thomas, Ont. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 warns residents to call ahead before visiting a doctor or hospital if they think they have the measles. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins

Northern Health says residents may have been exposed in several neighbouring communities including Fort St. John, adding one potential point of contact took place at the city’s hospital emergency room between midnight and 4 a.m. on June 2.

Measles is a highly infectious disease transmitted by airborne spread, with initial symptoms that include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. 

A rash often develops a few days later, beginning on the face and then spreading down the body. 

Northern Health is warning people who are experiencing these symptoms to self-isolate for at least four days to prevent the spread. 

For anyone who has serious symptoms, the health authority is asking people to call ahead before visiting their local healthcare provider or emergency department.

Ontario reported 74 new measles cases over the last week as of Thursday, bringing the total number of people in the province who have fallen ill to 2,083 since October.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June. 14, 2025. 

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

No more Jets 1.0 or 2.0: League announces all eras of Winnipeg’s club to be merged

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

No more Jets 1.0 or 2.0: League announces all eras of Winnipeg’s club to be merged

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:47 PM CDT

Mark Scheifele’s goal was always to chase down his mentor and former Barrie Colts head coach Dale Hawerchuk, no matter what the official record book said.

So when the NHL and the Winnipeg Jets announced on Thursday morning that they were consolidating the franchise history to include the 1.0 and 2.0 eras (including the Atlanta Thrashers chapter of the club), Scheifele was among those to give the move two thumbs up.

“Yeah, it clarifies it for you guys more, not as much (for) me,” said Scheifele. “It’s really cool to bring in the old Jets records, and especially Dale. Chasing him down was always on my mind. So, it’s cool to do it actually in the record books.”

Scheifele remains the franchise leader in games played (961) and he’s likely to eclipse Hawerchuk in goals (Scheifele has 372 to Hawerchuk’s 379) and points (Scheifele has 907 to Hawerchuk’s 929) this season. He now has Thomas Steen’s 553 assists in his sights after amassing 535 heading into 2026-27.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 5:47 PM CDT

Around city hall

Joyanne Pursaga 4 minute read 5:58 PM CDT

Sewage contract approved

The City of Winnipeg will award a $115-million contract toward the final phase of the North End sewage treatment plant upgrade, without waiting for the federal government to help fund the work.

On Thursday, city council waived a condition that funding agreements be finalized with the provincial and federal governments for the mega-project before awarding the development phase agreement contract.

The third and final nutrient removal facilities phase of the upgrade is expected to cost $1.57 billion, bringing the total cost of the entire upgrade to $3.1 billion.

Klein wants city-run, maintained ‘bridge’ space for homeless people

Malak Abas 5 minute read Preview

Klein wants city-run, maintained ‘bridge’ space for homeless people

Malak Abas 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:38 PM CDT

Mayoral candidate wants city to set up a 24-hour community space pilot project for homeless Winnipeggers

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 4:38 PM CDT

Restaurants ‘under pressure’

Gabrielle Piché 5 minute read Preview

Restaurants ‘under pressure’

Gabrielle Piché 5 minute read 5:27 PM CDT

Happy hour outings are on Jackie Piggott’s calendar — but even those are fewer.

She and her husband might visit a restaurant once a month. It’s a change over the past year: earlier, they may go twice, thrice or weekly.

“It’s something that we’ve talked about, my husband and myself, just because the pricing is so expensive,” Piggott said, stopping during a grocery run in St. Vital. “It’s also better for our health.”

She’s in the majority: a new Restaurants Canada report found 80 per cent of Canadians are eating out less frequently because of higher living costs, up from 75 per cent in 2025.

Read
5:27 PM CDT

‘Extremely disappointed’: hunters being turned away near Bloodvein First Nation, Manitoba Wildlife Federation says

Nicole Buffie 5 minute read Preview

‘Extremely disappointed’: hunters being turned away near Bloodvein First Nation, Manitoba Wildlife Federation says

Nicole Buffie 5 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2026

The Manitoba Wildlife Federation says hunters are again being refused access to land near Bloodvein River First Nation, a year after leadership told court it would let them through.

Read
Wednesday, Sep. 23, 2026

Husband of rival sex club owner accused in attempted bathhouse bombing

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Preview

Husband of rival sex club owner accused in attempted bathhouse bombing

Morgan Modjeski 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:22 PM CDT

A Winnipeg bathhouse owner says he was shocked to learn the man accused of planting a pipe bomb outside his business is married to the owner of a competing sex and lifestyle club.

Christopher Gregoire, who recently took ownership of AQ Sauna, said a live pipe bomb was found by a “heroic patron” outside the club, formerly known as Aquarius Bath House, in the early morning hours of Sept. 11.

On Thursday, the Winnipeg Police Service announced Erik Lymen Olson, 59, was facing multiple charges in the incident. Olson is the husband of Adonis Men’s Spa owner Doug Pomanski.

“This is wild,” Gregoire said after learning of the charges.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 6:22 PM CDT