Ontario sees spike in measles cases as New Brunswick deals with measles outbreak

As New Brunswick is reporting a five-year high measles case count in 2024 with 50 cases so far this year, Ontarians should be aware of rising cases here as well.

New Brunswick declared a measles outbreak on Nov. 1.

Public Health Ontario, as of Dec. 18, was reporting 37 confirmed cases and 26 probable cases of measles in 2024. This includes an increase of two confirmed cases and eight probable cases since the previous epidemiological summary released on Dec. 5.

Earlier this month, Peel Public Health said it was investigating a case of measles related to international travel and cautioned travellers linked to flights at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

News

Measles case in Peel linked to flights at Toronto Pearson Airport. Here's how Ontarians can protect themselves during holiday travel season

• By Mike Pearson

The public may have been exposed to the virus during two Turkish Airlines flights on Dec. 4, including Flight TK707 (Kabul to Istanbul) and Flight TK17 (Istanbul to Toronto).

Anyone who visited Pearson International Airport, Terminal 1, on Dec. 4 from 6:45 to 10:30 p.m. may also be at risk of exposure.

Back in May, Hamilton Public Health Services reported a measles death after a Hamilton child under five years old died.

Public Health Ontario says all confirmed and probable cases in 2024 were in individuals born in or after 1970, including 43 in children and adolescents, and 20 in adults.

The reported cases occurred in 12 different public health units — those include Brant County (1), Hamilton (6), Durham Region (1), Grey Bruce (8), Haldimand-Norfolk (3), Halton Region (3), Middlesex-London (1), Peel (3), Southwestern (26), Toronto (9), Windsor-Essex County (1) and York Region (1) public health units.

Eight cases required hospitalization, including seven children and one adult. All hospitalized children were unimmunized, including the child who died, Public Health Ontario reported.

What should you do if exposed to measles?

Peel Public Health advises anyone who believes they have been exposed to the measles virus to take the following precautions.

• Check your immunization record to confirm you are up-to-date with measles vaccinations (MMR or MMRV). Those who are unsure can check with their health-care provider. Two doses are recommended for anyone born in or after 1970. In general, those born before 1970 are considered protected against measles.
• People who are up to date with the measles vaccine should still watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days following potential exposure.
• Anyone experiencing measles symptoms should contact their health-care provider or public health unit. Do not attend work or school.

What are measles symptoms?

According to Health Canada, symptoms of measles can appear seven to 21 days after being infected.

Initial symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.

After three to seven days, a rash may appear. This rash looks like red spots and blotchy patches that start on the face, and then spread down the body, arms and legs.

Complications of measles include ear infection, pneumonia and diarrhea.

Measles infection can result in hospitalization. Severe complications, while rare, include respiratory failure, inflammation and swelling of the brain and even death.

Anyone infected with measles can spread it to others within four days before the onset of a rash to four days after the rash begins, Health Canada warns.

Anyone with symptoms of measles should isolate at home and call a health-care provider immediately. Before going to a health-care facility, ensure the facility knows that you might have measles.

Do not go to a health-care facility or office without calling ahead first.

Ontario reported seven confirmed measles cases in 2023.

Between 2013 and 2023, Public Health Ontario has recorded 101 confirmed cases of measles in the province.

For more information about measles and travel related advice, visit the Government of Canada's website.