Measles

The best way to protect against measles is vaccination. Two doses of measles-containing vaccine (i.e., MMR and/or MMRV) is over 97% effective in preventing a measles infection. 

The measles vaccine is a publicly funded, routine vaccine in Ontario. Check your vaccination records or ask your healthcare provider to confirm your vaccinations. If you’ve reported your child’s vaccinations to public health, you can see their record online at www.hpph.ca/icon.

With Huron Perth Public Health being an area of concern for measles, and in consultation with the Ministry of Health, measles vaccine eligibility is now expanded to those who live, work, play, travel to, or worship within the Huron Perth Public Health region.

Infants 

• Infants aged 6 months to 11 months are eligible to receive a dose of measles-containing vaccine for earlier protection against measles. Because the infant immune system is less mature, these infants will still require two doses of measles-containing vaccine after one year of age. Typically, in Ontario, children receive their first dose of measles vaccine (MMR) at one year of age.

Children

• A second dose of measles-containing vaccine for children can be given before the age of 4 in consultation with your healthcare provider. Typically, in Ontario, children receive a measles booster dose between the ages of four and six – preferably before starting school.
• It is strongly recommended for under-immunized children who are in school or childcare to receive measles vaccine.

Adults

• Adults born before 1970 are generally considered protected against measles. Adults born before 1970 who work in healthcare may be recommended to receive measles vaccine. Consult with your healthcare provider.
• Adults born in 1970 or after are advised to have two doses of measles-containing vaccine.  

Pregnant or immunocompromised

• People who are pregnant or immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) are generally not recommended to receive a measles-containing vaccine. Consult a healthcare provider if you're not previously vaccinated and are at risk of exposure to measles.

For questions about the measles vaccine, contact the HPPH Measles Information line at 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3299 or measlesinfoline@hpph.ca.

Symptoms of measles begin 7 to 21 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms often start with:

• fever
• runny nose
• cough, and/or
• red eyes

About three to seven days after symptoms begin, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and then spreads down the body.

The rash can last for four to seven days. Individuals with measles are contagious from four days before the rash begins until four days after the rash starts.

If you think you may have been exposed to the measles virus: 

• Assess your risk of exposure using the online Measles Exposure Self-Assessment Tool.
• Ensure you are up to date with the measles vaccine.
• Contact a healthcare provider if you are at increased risk. Those at higher risk for measles infection include:
  • infants less than 12 months of age
  • pregnant individuals who have not received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine
  • individuals with compromised immune system.
• Monitor for symptoms of measles for 21 days following exposure, even if you are up to date with your measles vaccinations.

Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider as soon as possible, or contact HPPH’s Infectious Disease team at idteam@hpph.ca or 1-888-221-2133 Ext. 3284.

If you think you have measles:

• Stay home and avoid contact with other people.
• Mild symptoms can be managed with rest, fluid, and over-the-counter medications for fever and pain relief.
• If symptoms become severe (for example, shortness of breath, confusion) and you need to seek medical care:
  • CALL ahead before visiting a medical clinic or hospital so they can prepare for your arrival and stop virus spread.
  • Wear a well-fitting mask (medical grade if possible, such as a surgical mask or N95) if you need to leave your home for medical care.

Your healthcare provider will assess you for measles and will test you if they think you may have measles.

• If you're diagnosed with measles, a healthcare provider or laboratory will report your test result to your local public health unit. Your local public health unit will contact you to try to figure out:
  • how you became infected
  • who you've been in contact with to determine if they could have been exposed.

This process, called contact tracing, is carried out to prevent the spread of measles to others.

There is no cure (such as an antiviral or antibiotic) for a measles infection.  
Most people fully recover from measles within two to three weeks. Sometimes measles can cause complications, such as pneumonia, ear infections, diarrhea, hearing loss, brain swelling (encephalitis), seizures, or, rarely, even death.

About measles | Ministry of Health

Measles: What you should know fact sheet | Health Canada

What should parents know about measles | Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario