Two provinces, multiple confirmed cases, and exposure sites at actual healthcare centres. The measles outbreak in Canada this summer is real, and if you haven't thought about your vaccination status since your last passport renewal, now's the time.
Where Are the Measles Exposure Sites in Ontario and Quebec?
Toronto Public Health issued an alert on July 5 after confirming five measles cases this year, all linked to travel outside Canada. The measles exposure sites include the Scarborough Health Network's emergency room on June 28 (7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), the Kids Out-patient Clinic on June 30 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), and the Markington Family Care and Walk-in Clinic on June 29 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
Quebec's outbreak is moving faster. Centred in Portneuf, about 50 kilometres west of Quebec City, it has grown from two cases to seven since June 28. The first case was travel-linked, but the rest weren't, since they were people already in quarantine as close contacts, meaning the virus spread even under active monitoring. Exposure sites there included a Caisse Desjardins, two Jean Coutu pharmacies, and a Maxi grocery store in late June.
If you were at any of these locations during those windows, watch for symptoms for 21 days from your exposure date. Parents of babies under one who may have been exposed should call public health immediately, since infants may qualify for immunoglobulin, a treatment that works best when given quickly.
How Effective Is the MMR Vaccine Against This Outbreak?
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses on the planet, which is exactly why this measles outbreak in Canada has public health officials moving fast. A single infected person can pass it to up to 18 others in an unvaccinated population, and the virus can hang in the air for up to two hours after they've left the room, a detail you can verify yourself in the federal government's measles fact sheet.
The good news: two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97 per cent effective, and most Canadians who got both as kids are covered. Babies under 12 months haven't had their shot yet, since it's typically given at 12 and 18 months. Adults born before 1970 are generally considered immune from natural exposure, while adults born between 1970 and 1996 are most likely to have a gap, since the two-dose schedule wasn't standard yet. If that's you, a quick call to your doctor about a booster is worth it.
What Measles Symptoms Should You Actually Watch For?
Watch for fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body. Measles symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure, though the window can stretch to 21.
If symptoms do show up, don't just walk into a clinic or emergency room. Call your public health unit or 811 first. Showing up unannounced puts other patients at risk, especially infants and anyone immunocompromised. Toronto Public Health's full exposure advisory has the complete list of sites and dates if you want to double check your own timeline.
Got Questions About This Measles Outbreak in Canada?
How contagious is measles really?
Extremely, which is part of why this measles outbreak in Canada is being taken so seriously. One infected person can spread measles to up to 18 unvaccinated people, and the virus lingers in the air for up to two hours after they've left a room.
Who is most at risk during a measles outbreak?
Babies under 12 months who haven't had their MMR shot yet, adults born between 1970 and 1996 who may have only received one dose, and anyone who was at a confirmed exposure site during the listed time windows.
What should I do if I think I've been exposed to measles?
Call your public health unit or 811 before going anywhere in person. If you're the parent of a baby under one who was potentially exposed, call immediately, since early treatment with immunoglobulin can reduce how severe the infection gets.
Medimap can help you find a walk-in clinic, family doctor, or public health centre near you. Visit medimap.ca to get your vaccination status reviewed, or browse the Medimap Health Hub for more.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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