Toronto Public Health (TPH) is confirming an eighth case of laboratory-confirmed measles that is linked to travel. The measles vaccine is available for adults and children at doctors’ offices or at a TPH community clinic for school-aged children.
In 2023, there were four cases of measles in Toronto. The five-year average pre-pandemic (2015-2019) in Toronto was five cases of measles a year. Anyone who is not vaccinated or has not had a measles infection is at risk for getting sick with measles.
Vaccinations are very effective to help prevent the spread of measles. During the pandemic, some people may have missed their measles vaccinations and should make sure they are up-to-date with their vaccines.
Measles still exists in many parts of the world and due to travel, measles still occurs in Canada.
Learn more about seeking medical care and self isolation if you have measles symptoms AND travelled to an area with measles OR were exposed to someone with measles in the last 21 days.
Health care providers can find more information about measles, including reporting suspected cases to Toronto Public Health, on our Measles Information for Health Professionals page.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks. The measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. People can become infected if they breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
Someone who has measles can spread it to others from four days before the rash appears to four days after the rash appears.
Symptoms may start around 10 days after being exposed but can start anywhere from seven to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms usually last for one to two weeks.
Symptoms include:
Children younger than five years old, people 20 years old or older, people who are pregnant or have a weak immune system can get very sick from measles.
Measles can also lead to:
Measles in pregnancy can lead to premature delivery and miscarriage.
The measles vaccine is safe and effective to help stop the spread of measles.
You are considered protected from measles if you got two doses of the measles vaccine after your first birthday.
One dose given at 12 or 15 months of age provides protection in about 85 to 95 per cent of people, and two doses provide close to 100 per cent.
There are two measles-containing vaccines in Canada: MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) and MMRV (measles-mumps-rubella-varicella). MMRV also provides protection from chickenpox (varicella). Both vaccines are made up of weakened, live viruses.
See the MMR and MMRV vaccine fact sheet for more information.
Infants: are at greatest risk since routine vaccination for measles does not begin until one year of age. Infants going to areas where there is measles can get the vaccine at 6 months of age before travel.
Born in 1970 or later: need 2 doses of measles vaccine for protection if they did not have measles. Children routinely get vaccinated after their first birthday and between ages four to six.
Born before 1970: may have had measles infection, since measles was present a lot during this time. Can get vaccinated if unsure.
Travellers to areas where measles is present: should get vaccinated before travel if they are not up-to-date or never had a measles infection.
Health care workers & military personnel: need to be immune to work. This includes either having proof of vaccinations (two doses) or immunity (blood test) or record of confirmed measles infection.
Post-secondary students: should ensure vaccination or proof of immunity.
Unsure about vaccination status: You can safely get vaccinated with at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. A blood test can also be done to find out if someone is immune if they think they had a measles infection in the past.
Where to get Vaccinated
The measles vaccine is available for adults and children at doctors’ offices. TPH community clinics also offer the measles vaccine, including other school-based vaccines for school-aged children.
If you think you have measles, it is important to:
Your doctor will assess you for measles and will test you if they think you have measles.
Measles is diagnosed with laboratory tests including a blood, urine and nose or throat test. The laboratory will process these tests to determine if a person has the measles virus. It can take a few days for the laboratory to confirm test results.
When a case of measles is confirmed, Toronto Public Health will continue with the case investigation and management.
There is no specific treatment for measles. Most people can recover at home. Severe complications may be avoided through supportive care including good nutrition and fluid intake. Hospitalization may be needed for severe infections.
If you are a contact of a person with a measles infection, you should monitor for symptoms and see the chart below on next steps to protect yourself.
If you do not have vaccination records, or cannot get them, then you can safely get revaccinated. You can contact your health care provider for a copy of your vaccination records or to get vaccinated. Your local public health unit may have a copy of your vaccination records. Parents can update and look up vaccination records for school-aged children.
| Scenario | Action Required | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| I work in a health care setting or I work/attend a school or child care centre and have been exposed to someone who has measles. | Call Toronto Public Health at 416 338-7600 to discuss the details of your exposure and vaccination status. | You are at higher risk of spreading the infection to vulnerable populations. |
| I am pregnant and have been exposed to someone who has measles. | Talk to your health care provider. Based on when you were born and your vaccination records, you may already be protected. | Your health care provider will confirm your vaccination status by reviewing your vaccination records and/or giving you a blood test to check for measles immunity. |
| I was born before 1970. | Anyone born before 1970 has likely developed immunity to the virus because measles was present then. | If you are unsure, you can safely get the MMR vaccine. |
| I was born between 1970 and 1995. | Confirm you had two doses of measles vaccines (e.g., MMR). Two doses are needed for full protection. | If you have no documentation of vaccination, you can safely get the MMR vaccine. |
| I was born after 1995. | Confirm you had two doses of measles vaccines (e.g., MMR or MMRV) by checking your vaccination records. | In Ontario, all children are required to get two shots: the first dose is given on or after the first birthday and a second shot between four to six years of age. |
Call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600 (TTY at 416-392-0658) or speak to your health care provider.