Measles Outbreak and Prevention
June 2, 2025
Written By: Joanne Fernandes, Registered Practical Nurse
Measles is a highly contagious virus and can easily infect unvaccinated individuals. Over 90% of unimmunized people, who are exposed to measles, can become infected. This virus can cause blindness, hearing loss, brain injury, respiratory failure or even death.
Some of the initial symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
About 3 to 7 days after the symptoms begin; a rash that looks like red sports or blotchy patches appears. It starts on the face, and then spread down the body and can last 4 to 7 days. Most people recover from measles within 2 or 3 weeks.
Measles can spread from 4 days before the onset of a rash and until 4 days after the rash appears.
Measles can spread through the following:
- Breathing in droplets or direct contact with nasal or oral secretions from an infected person
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your face before cleaning your hands.
Therefore, it is important to wash your hands and disinfect surfaces to prevent the virus from spreading.
Those who are at the highest risk of getting severely ill are children, pregnant, seniors and those who have weak immunity due to medications or health conditions.
Fortunately, measles is highly preventable by vaccination! In Ontario, children receive their measles vaccine at 12 months old and the second dose around 4-6 years.
Please contact your health care provider or Toronto Public Health Vaccine clinic if your child is missing vaccinations. If you believe that you may have been exposed to measles and have not been vaccinated (or have not had a measles infection in the past), please isolate and contact your health care provider or local public health department immediately for guidance. Additionally, if you develop symptoms of measles, isolate and call your health care provider immediately.
References:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/measles/prevention-risks.html