Measles

• Spreads through the air: The measles virus spreads very easily through the air when someone who has the virus breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes, making it a very contagious infection
• Contaminates surfaces: Measles can live on surfaces and contaminate them.
  • The virus can survive in the air and on surfaces for up to 2 hours, even after an infected person has left a room.
• Contact with a case: Even if someone has contact with a measles case, this does not mean that they will develop the disease.
• How people are infected: People can be infected when they breathe in the air or touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.
• Contagious period: People are considered contagious (e.g. spread the virus) 4 to 5 days BEFORE they show any symptoms.
• Symptoms: Symptoms can include:
  • fever, cough, runny nose
  • tired, irritability, red eyes
  • small white spots on the inside of the mouth and throat
  • classic red, blotchy, non-itchy rash on face that progresses down the body
• Watching for symptoms, as a precaution: This precaution is important for those who have been exposed or are concerned about being exposed.
  • They should watch for the start of symptoms until 21 days after the date of the exposure to the case. See the "Learn more about measles" section below for a list of symptoms.
• Symptoms? Those with symptoms should call TBDHU at 807-625-8318 for further directions. If visiting a health care provider office regarding symptoms, individuals should call ahead and inform the staff of the reason for the visit. Staff will need to take precautions to prevent spread to others.

• More information: Visit Ontario’s measles website (Ontario.ca/measles) or the Canadian Paediatric Society’s website (caringforkids.cps.ca).

Protection against measles includes the following:

• Proof of two valid doses of measles-containing vaccine (MMR; measles, mumps, rubella); see the "Vaccine protection" section below 
• Blood work showing antibodies to measles
• Documentation showing prior lab-confirmed measles infection
• Born before 1970, EXCEPT heath care providers. Those born before 1970 are considered immune, as measles was widely circulating at that time OR they may have received measles vaccine at some point. However, any health care provider born before 1970 must follow the guideline for all health care providers; proof of two valid doses of measles-containing vaccine OR blood work suggestive of immunity.

• Safe vaccine: The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has proven to be one of the safest and most effective vaccines available, even if the vaccine was received many years ago.
• Required for school/licensed child care: Measles protection is required to attend both licensed child care and school in Ontario. 
• FREE in Ontario: The MMR vaccine is FREE through Ontario’s publicly funded vaccine program. MMR vaccines are offered to children and adults as part of Ontario’s routine vaccine schedule

Vaccine recommendations

• Children should receive one dose at 1 year of age as and a second dose at 4 years of age as part of Ontario's routine vaccine schedule.
  • As soon as they turn 4, it is recommended that children receive the second dose (booster).
• Adults born in or after 1970 should have record of receiving at least one dose and may consider speaking to a health-care provider about receiving a second dose.
• Health care workers and post-secondary students should have record of receiving two doses.

NOTE:

• Adults born before 1970 are generally considered immune to measles as measles was widely circulating at that time. In addition, these individuals may have received measles vaccine at some point.
• Those who are breastfeeding can safely receive the vaccine and pass on antibody protection to their child through breast milk.
• Pregnant people cannot receive the vaccine.

Unsure if you or your child(ren) is missing a dose of vaccine?

• Children – check their ICON account or talk to their health care provider
  • No ICON account? Find the link to register at TBDHU.com/vaxreport.
• Adults – check any records (ICON, yellow card, vaccine documents – see TBDHU.com/vaxreport for more tips) or talk to the provider who gave the vaccines
  • No ICON account? Find the link to register at TBDHU.com/vaxreport.

Catching up on missing doses

Those who are missing doses can catch up at any age. 

• Have a provider - Make an appointment.
• No provider - Visit TBDHU.com/vaxclinic and book using the online booking system.

Make sure you and your family members are vaccinated BEFORE travelling to an area where there are ongoing cases of measles:

• Children 12 months of age should receive their first dose before travelling as part of Ontario's routine vaccine schedule.
• Children 4 years of age or older should get their second dose before travelling if they have not already received it as part of Ontario's routine vaccine schedule.
• Adults born in or after 1970 should get a second dose before travelling if they only have record of one dose.
• Adults born before 1970 should get one dose before travelling if they have never been exposed to measles and do not have history of getting a dose in the past.

To identify the areas with ongoing cases of measles:

• Within Ontario – See Public Health Ontario’s exposure webpage
• Within Canada – See Canada's measles monitoring report webpage 
• Internationally – See Canada’s “Advice for Travellers” webpage