Health officials have issued a public warning after a confirmed case of measles may have exposed travellers and airport visitors at Toronto Pearson International Airport, prompting calls for people to review their vaccination status and remain alert for symptoms.
According to Peel Public Health, the potential exposure occurred on June 13 and involved passengers arriving on Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET552 from Addis Ababa and those travelling on Air Canada Flight AC410 from Toronto to Montreal. Individuals who were in Terminal 1 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. may also have come into contact with the highly contagious virus.
While public health officials are attempting to notify people who may have been exposed, they are advising anyone who was at the airport during that period to verify that they and their family members are fully vaccinated against measles. Two doses of the vaccine are generally recommended for individuals born in or after 1970, while those born before 1970 are generally considered to have natural immunity.
Medical experts warn that measles spreads easily among people who are unvaccinated or have never previously contracted the disease. Symptoms typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure and may include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, sensitivity to light, and a distinctive rash that usually begins on the face before spreading downward.
Anyone who develops symptoms is urged to stay home and contact a healthcare provider or local public health unit before seeking medical attention, in order to avoid exposing others.
Although Peel Public Health says the overall risk to residents remains low, officials continue to monitor the situation closely and investigate any new cases. The latest alert serves as a reminder that measles, once largely eliminated in Canada, remains one of the most contagious infectious diseases and that maintaining up-to-date vaccinations remains the strongest protection against its spread.