Toronto Public Health investigating confirmed case of measles

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating a lab-confirmed travel-related case of measles in the city, and is following up with individuals who may have been exposed.

According to TPH, members of the public may have been exposed to measles in the following settings during the period of August 19-24, 2017 including:

August 19 British Airways flight:

• BA0099 direct flight that departed from Heathrow Airport in London, England at 5 p.m. and arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport at 9:30 p.m. on August 19.

August 19 at Toronto Pearson International Airport:
• Terminal 3 from 9:30 p.m. to August 20 at 12:30 a.m.

August 19 at Tennessee Tavern, 1554 Queen St. West:
• from 11 p.m. to August 20 at 2 a.m.

August 22 to 24 at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Emergency Department, Cystoscopy, or Fracture Clinic:
• August 22 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• August 23 between 9:30 a.m. and 11:59 p.m.
• August 24 between midnight and 10 a.m.

August 23 at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Diagnostic Imaging:
• August 23 between 1:15 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• August 23 between 8:45 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

TPH is offering MMR vaccine to these individuals at Etobicoke Civic Centre tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (3/3)

— Toronto PublicHealth (@TOPublicHealth) August 26, 2017

Anyone who may have been exposed are advised to do the following:

1. Check your immunization record to make sure you and your family members are up to date with the measles vaccination (MMR or MMRV). If you are unsure, it’s recommended you check with your health care provider. In general, those born before 1970 are considered protected against measles.

2. Even if you are up to date with your measles vaccine, watch for symptoms of measles. These include a high fever, cold-like symptoms (cough/runny nose), sore eyes or sensitivity to light and a red rash lasting four to seven days.

In addition, for those who may have been exposed at St. Joseph’s Health Centre:

3. For people exposed on August 23 or 24, if you are susceptible to measles (you have not had two doses of vaccine and you were born after 1970), a dose of vaccine is recommended to prevent the infection. This is only effective if given within three days of the exposure. TPH is offering vaccine to these individuals on:

• Saturday, August 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall

4. Infants under one year of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can get very ill with measles. These individuals are encouraged to call TPH.

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