The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) has reported the first lab-confirmed case of measles in the region.
A public health investigation is currently underway.
The TBDHU is following up directly with known contacts, with a focus on those at higher risk.
The risk to the general public is low.
The health unit says the potential for exposure to measles was present during the following:
- Air Canada flight AC1195 Toronto to Thunder Bay – Sunday, May 4 – 9:40 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Thunder Bay International Airport terminal building – Sunday, May 4 – 11:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Follow-up is underway with additional exposure locations, notably with health care settings.
The health unit plans on releasing more information as required.
Anyone who may have been exposed to the measles virus on AC1195 should check their vaccination status and monitor their symptoms until May 25.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Runny Nose
- Cough
- Red Eyes
- Small spots with white centres that appear inside your mouth
- A red blotchy rash appears on the face, then spreads down the body (normally appears three to seven days after symptoms begin)
The health unit says individuals should monitor for symptoms even if they are vaccinated against measles.
If symptoms develop, individuals should seek medical care and testing and should largely stay home until the results are back.
Call ahead to clinics so precautionary measures can be taken.
The TBDHU says people born before 1970 are considered immune as measles was widely circulating at the time.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread easily to others through the air.
Routine infant and childhood vaccinations are usually given at 12 months and between four to six years of age.
The vaccine is very effective against measles, even if the vaccine was received many years ago.
Anyone who has not had two doses of a measles vaccine, for example, the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine or has not had measles in the past, is at risk of infection.
