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Measles Cases: 33 Active Cases: 3
Last updated: May 16, 2025
If you have symptoms of measles, isolate at home and avoid contact with others. Call before visiting a health care provider, clinic or hospital so they can prepare or your visit and prevent exposing others. Wear a mask when you arrive.
Check my Vaccination Status Vaccine Recommendations Info for Healthcare Professionals
Local Measles Exposures 2025
For exposure locations outside of our district, see Places and dates of exposure to a case of measles in Ontario.
We're here to help.
Instructions:
If you were at the above locations during the time indicated and meet any of the following criteria, contact our new Measles call centre at 705-707-1455 as soon as possible and we can discuss the best next steps for you:
- Infants under 12 months of age
- Immunocompromised individuals
- Individuals born after January 1, 1970, and who are not vaccinated with two doses of an MMR or MMRV vaccine, or haven’t had measles in the past
- A healthcare worker or military personnel born in any year who is not vaccinated with two doses of an MMR or MMRV vaccine
We kindly ask that anyone not at the exposure locations during the time indicated, or who do not meet the above criteria, refrain from contacting the call centre so phone lines can stay open for those at higher risk of exposure.
Call Centre Hours
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday
Measles
What is measles? |
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Measles is a very contagious respiratory virus that can spread easily through the air when someone with measles breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks. The virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. People can become infected if they breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surfaces, then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. |
What are the symptoms of measles? |
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Symptoms of measles can take seven to 21 days to develop after exposure (usually 10 to 12 days). The first symptoms to appear are:
Two to three days after developing the first symptoms, small white spots may appear in the inside of the mouth and throat (Koplik spots). About three to seven days after symptoms begin, a rash develops on the face then spreads to the rest of the body. This rash can last four to seven days. |
What should I do if I have symptoms? |
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If you have symptoms of measles, isolate at home and avoid contact with others. Call before visiting a health care provider, clinic or hospital so they can prepare for your visit and prevent exposing others. Stay home from work, school, childcare and other public activities for four days after the onset of the rash. Only return once well enough to participate in activities. Note: Guidelines for absence may differ for healthcare workers. Follow the direction of your healthcare provider, public health case manager, or occupational health at your workplace. If you have been tested for measles please see Measles Testing: A Quick Guide for Patients. |
How long is someone with measles contagious? |
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Someone with measles can spread the virus from four days before, to four days after the first sign of a rash. |
Treatment |
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There is no treatment for measles. Drink plenty of fluids, get lots of rest, and seek medical attention if symptoms are not manageable at home. |
Long-term complications |
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Many people fully recover from measles within two to three weeks, but some people will have complications that can include:
It is also possible to develop a neurological condition called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis seven to ten years after recovering from measles. It affects the brain and can develop even if it looks like you've fully recovered from the initial infection. The condition is rare, but fatal. The risk of developing this condition may be higher if you have measles before two years of age. Complications for people who get measles while pregnant can include:
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If I've already had measles, can I get it again? |
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Most likely not. Being infected with Measles generally gives you lifelong immunity to the virus. |
Vaccination
Check your immunization record to make sure you're up-to-date with your MMR vaccine, and get caught up on any outstanding doses based on the guidance below.
What are your recommendations for receiving the MMR vaccine? |
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I've had two doses, but they were a long time ago. Do I need a booster dose? |
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No, people who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered protected for life and never need a booster dose. |
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What if I can't find my vaccine record? |
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If you, your healthcare provider and the Health Unit are not able to retrieve your vaccination record, you are considered unimmunized and can be started on an age-appropriate routine immunization schedule as per the publicly funded immunization schedule. Even if you received a vaccine in the past, it's safe to get additional doses of the MMR vaccine. |
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Will you be holding vaccine clinics? |
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We are continuing to monitor and assess the situation and cannot speculate on the availability of mass vaccination clinics at this time. Should we determine vaccine clinics are required, we will share details as they become available.
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How can I book a vaccine appointment? |
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To book a vaccine appointment with us, email vpd@healthunit.ca or call 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5252. Your patience is appreciated as we anticipate a high volume of calls. We will do our best to return your call as soon as possible. Our hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also contact your health care provider to request an appointment. |
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How long does it take for the vaccine to work in your body? |
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| The body needs time to produce protective antibodies in response to the vaccine. People are usually fully protected after about two week post-vaccination. | ||||||||
How effective is the measles vaccine? |
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| Short answer: very! Two doses of the measles vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus. One dose is about 93% effective.
Did you know?:
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Last updated: May 12, 2025
More Information
2024 Statistics
Incidence rate is the number of new cases of disease divided by the number of persons at risk for the disease during a particular time period.
Cases:
0*
*Includes confirmed cases in 2024.
Incidence rate per 100,000 in 2024: 0
Incidence rate per 100,000 of Measles by year
Data Sources |
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Contact our Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229, or by email to cdc@healthunit.ca for more information.
Last updated: April 2025, by Communications and CDC