Peel Public Health are warning residents of a confirmed measles case with a recent history of international travel amid the biggest outbreak of the virus in Ontario since 2008.
The case was confirmed on March 4, and the public may have been exposed if they were in any of the following places over the last two weeks.
- February 24: Air Canada Flight AC57 from Dubai to Toronto
- February 24: Toronto Pearson International Airport, Terminal 1, between 8:36 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
- February 27: Aboud Health Walk-in Clinic & Pharmacy between 3:15 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- February 27- 28: Emergency room of Trillium Health Partners Credit Valley Hospital between 8:45 p.m. and 12:41 a.m.
Anyone experiencing symptoms should immediately contact their health care provider, or if not available, Peel Public Health to get advice and do not attend school or work.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
With March Break approaching, Peel Public Health is also reminding people to check their immunization records, especially if they are traveling internationally.
Measles symptoms usually begin within seven to 21 days after infection and could include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and a red rash.
Public Health Ontario says 78 new measles cases have been identified in the last two weeks, bringing the total this year to just over 140, far surpassing the 101 total infections recorded in the province between 2013 and 2023.
The last time there was a sizable outbreak in the province was 2008, when there was a total of 58 cases.
The epicentre of Ontario’s outbreak has been in the Southwestern and Grand Erie public health regions. As a result, 18 kids have been hospitalized in Ontario, including one who required intensive care. Toronto Public Health has confirmed one case of measles, while York Region Public Health reported its second case of measles on February 28.
With files from Catalina Gillies
