Montreal Public Health warns of more measles outbreaks in 6 different locations

The Montreal Public Health Department is warning the public about another measles outbreak.

The health authority is trying to track down anyone who was in six places around Montreal last week, most of them in the West Island, as citizens could have been exposed to the virus.

According to Santé Montreal, the investigation is linked to two new cases of measles atop the previously reported exposure from April.

See also

• Montreal Public Health issues another measles exposure warning
• MUHC warns public of possible measles exposure at Glen site
• The number of global measles cases is already 300% higher than this time last year
• Anti-vaxxers one of 10 biggest global health threats: World Health Organization

Santé Montreal estimates as many as 200 people may have been exposed to a person infected with measles over a three day period on May 11, 12, and 14.

The following places are where people may have been exposed to measles, as posted on the Santé Montreal website:

Saturday, May 11:

• Des Sources High School (Iranian Cultural Society of the West-Island), 2900 Lake Street, between 12 pm and 1:05 pm
• Tim Hortons, 3760 Boulevard Sources, between 12:25 pm and 1:35 pm
• Royal Bank, 4400 Boulevard Sources, between 12:15 pm and 1:25 pm
• Esthéticienne Manju Beauté, 3637 Boulevard Sources, between 2 pm and 5 pm

Sunday, May 12:

• The Courtyard Marriott Hotel – Saint-Laurent, 7000 Place Robert-Joncas, between 3 pm and 5:30 pm

Tuesday, May 14:

• Les Aventuriers daycare – Outremont, 196 Bates Road, between 4:30 pm and 5:35 pm

Public health authority says a girl contracted measles from a relative who caught the virus while travelling abroad. The girl was put into isolation but transmitted the virus to a worker that was treating her.

The latest case of the virus brings the total number of infected citizens to seven in Montreal so far in 2019.

AVIS À LA POPULATION | La Direction régionale de #SantéPubliqueMTL enquête sur un nouveau cas confirmé de #rougeole. Les personnes qui se trouvaient aux endroits indiqués dans l’Avis, risquent d’avoir été exposées au virus. Consultez les recommandations : https://t.co/o2q5B8NPyx pic.twitter.com/BJtl3kKO0z

— Santé Montréal (@santemontreal) May 16, 2019

The measles virus is transmitted through the air or by direct contact (face to face) with an infected person, the virus can spend up to two hours in the air before infecting someone.

Immunity to the measles virus comes by being born before 1970, having received a vaccine, or if you had contracted the disease before 1996, according to the MUHC.

Measles symptoms include fever, cough, stuffy/runny nose, red and watery eyes and small, white spots around and in the mouth. Two to four days after symptoms, a rash will appear on the face at first before extending to the extremities after three to seven days.

Measles can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis  (inflammation of the brain). Complications are more common in people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and children under one year of age.

Anyone who may have been exposed to measles and is not protected is urged to call the INFO-SANTÉ phone line at 811.