Provincial health officer claims respiratory illness season is over

British Columbia’s provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry declares the end of respiratory illness season.

In a statement released on March 28, Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer declared the end of the 2024-2025 respiratory illness season.

Dr. Bonnie Henry based the decision to end the respiratory illness season on the most recent data released by public health partners at the provincial and federal levels.

As a result, the additional measures implemented in health-care settings are no longer necessary. However, the standard requiring the use of personal protective equipment and additional precautions based on point-of-care risk assessment remains in effect according to her statement.

“This decision is informed by low and decreasing levels of respiratory illness seen in the most recent data for influenza, RSV and COVID-19 in B.C,” said Dr. Henry. “Data published on Thursday, March 27, 2025, from the BC Centre for Disease Control shows that respiratory illnesses in B.C. continue to decrease. Currently, there are approximately 40 people in hospital with COVID, a number that has been trending down in recent weeks, and influenza and RSV test positivity have decreased in recent weeks, with decreasing detection of both in wastewater samples.”

“We must continue to practice healthy habits to prevent illnesses from spreading, keeping our families and communities safe. That includes cleaning your hands, staying home when sick, covering your coughs and sneezes, wearing a mask when appropriate and getting the latest vaccines by booking immunization appointments across B.C.”

Officials have also advised individuals to monitor for symptoms if they have recently traveled, with an increasing number of measles cases reported in B.C.

Measles has seen a resurgence in Canada in recent years, with several hundred confirmed cases reported nationally in 2025 so far, and 146 cases recorded in 2024.

So far, five measles cases have been reported in the province, all in the Lower Mainland and linked to travel to regions experiencing measles outbreaks.

“Increasingly, we’re seeing cases of measles in parts of Canada, with outbreaks in Ontario and cases here in B.C., and around the world,” said Dr. Henry. “Measles can cause serious illness, particularly for young people who are not vaccinated. And we have tragically had one death in Canada last year.”

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious complications, such as encephalitis (brain inflammation), pneumonia, and in some cases death.

Those at the highest risk are individuals who are unvaccinated and lack immunity from previous exposure according to the release.

“As we’re seeing an increase in cases of measles in B.C. and around the world, people need to make sure their measles immunizations are up to date and that they follow healthy habits,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.

Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis while three to four days after the fever begins, a rash appears, typically starting on the face and quickly spreading to the rest of the body.