Measles

April 15, 2025

• April 15, 2025 – South East Health Unit Reporting New Measles Exposure Locations
• April 11, 2025 – South East Health Unit Reporting New Measles Exposures in Hastings and Prince Edward Counties
• April 10, 2025 – South East Health Unit is Investigating Exposures to a Confirmed Measles Case
• April 6, 2025 – South East Health Unit (SEHU) is Investigating Exposures to a Confirmed Measles Case
• April 4, 2025 – Measles Outbreak continues in Ontario; Residents reminded that Vaccines are the Best Way to Protect Themselves
• March 5, 2025 – South East Health Unit confirms Measles Outbreak in Hastings County; Advises of Community Exposure

Measles *Designated Reportable Disease (See also Childhood Diseases for relevant school information and notices)

This is intended as a general guide. Consult a health care provider for diagnosis and for recommendations or advice. Notify the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit if there is a higher than usual number of cases of any disease. To report a case of Measles, use the Reportable Disease Form or call a public health nurse or public health inspector on the Infectious Disease team at 1-800-660-5853. This disease is vaccine preventable.

How it Spreads

Contact with secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected person.

Spreads easily through the air (i.e. coughing, sneezing, talking, being in the same room) or through the contamination of surfaces (as the virus can remain active in the air and surfaces for at least 2 hours).

Incubation period *7–21 days from exposure to onset of fever.

*Incubation period = Time between contact with disease and start of symptom.

How to Recognize

Fever, runny nose, cough, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes (usually begins 7–18 days after exposure), small white spots on the inside of the mouth and throat, and body aches.

In a few days a blotchy red rash appears on the face and progresses down the body.

When it is Contagious

Measles is highly contagious.

Usually 4 days before and up to 4 days after rash begins.

When to Report/Exclude

Report to the Health Unit immediately.

Exclude from child care and school for at least 4 days after start of rash.

Contacts of case with no history of immunization or measles infection should be excluded for 21 days.

Exposure Notices

If you attended the following locations at these dates and times, you may have been exposed to measles:

If you were at any of the above locations during the exposure times:

1. Check vaccination records to ensure protection from measles.

• Immunity requires two doses of a measles vaccine or proof of immunity through a laboratory test. If you are unsure of your vaccination status:
  • Check your record (please note that public health may not have records for anyone born in 1985 or earlier):
    • KFLA: https://kfla.icon.ehealthontario.ca/#!/welcome
    • HPE: hpechu.icon.ehealthontario.ca/#!/welcome
    • LGL: lgl.icon.ehealthontario.ca/#!/welcome
  • Call your health-care provider
  • Call SEHU’s Kingston office at 613-549-1232 or its Belleville office at 613-966- 5500, extension 221
    • Most individuals born before 1970 are generally presumed to have acquired immunity due to infection in their childhood, as high levels of measles were circulating before 1970.
    • If you are not vaccinated or have had only one dose of measles vaccine you should seek vaccination through SEHU or primary care clinics.
      • Call before visiting a health-care setting and notify them of your recent measles exposure. This helps protect others and allows health-care providers to prepare for your visit.

2. Monitor for symptoms until 21 DAYS following your exposure date (even if you are vaccinated). Symptoms of measles start seven to 21 days after exposure and may include:

• high fever, cough, runny nose
• red, watery eyes (pink eye or conjunctivitis)
• red blotchy rash

If you develop symptoms, stay home and do not go to work, school or daycare. Call your health-care provider before visiting to let them know you may have measles and need special precautions. You may also call SEHU’s Kingston office at 613 549-1232, or the Belleville office at 613-966-5500, extension 349, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.

3. Please contact SEHU immediately if you fall into any of the following categories:

• Were with an infant under 12 months of age during exposure.
• Are pregnant and unvaccinated or unsure of your immunity to measles.
• Are immunocompromised.

You may be eligible for preventive treatment. In Kingston call 613 549-1232, in Belleville call 613-966- 5500, extension 349, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air and can survive on surfaces for up to two hours. Infants, pregnant individuals and those who have a weakened immune system are at higher risk of severe complications, including brain inflammation and even death.

For more information on measles visit the Childhood Diseases section of our website.

Contact

Media contact:
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