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Measles

Since the beginning of 2025, a total of 1,834 measles cases (1,590 confirmed, 244 probable)

 have been reported in Ontario (as of May 20), with most of the cases related to an outbreak in largely unimmunized communities in southwestern Ontario. A list of measles exposure sites in Ontario is available from Public Health Ontario (PHO).

The health unit advises anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the measles virus to do the following:

Check your vaccination record.

Make sure you and your family are protected against measles:

  • You are considered protected if you’ve had two doses of measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV).
  • If you were born before 1970, you likely had measles as a child and are generally considered immune and protected.
  • If you are not sure you’re protected, you can visit our website to see if the health unit may have a copy of your record at www.smdhu.org/records.
  • If you haven’t had two doses, contact your health care provider to discuss vaccination.

Watch for symptoms of measles

  • Symptoms can appear 7 to 21 days after being exposed.
  • Even individuals who are up to date with the measles vaccine should watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after exposure.
  • Look for:
  • Fever, runny nose, cough
  • Red eyes
  • Small white spots inside the mouth and throat (these don’t always show up)
  • Three to seven days after symptoms start, a red, blotchy rash begins on the face and spreads down the body
  • You can spread measles to others four days before and four days after the rash appears.  
  • Call your health care provider right away.
  • Isolate right away—stay home (do not go to school or work) and avoid contact with others
  • Important: Do not go directly to the hospital or your health care provider’s office without calling first. You must inform them that you have been exposed to someone with measles and are now experiencing symptoms.
  • Wear a well-fitting, high-quality face mask when seeking medical care.

 

Next Steps Based on Your Situation

Scenario

Action Required

Comments

I work in health care, a school or child care, or military and was exposed to measles.

Call the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit at 705-721-7520 to discuss your exposure and vaccination status.

You are at higher risk of spreading measles to vulnerable populations.

I am pregnant and was exposed to measles.

Talk to your health care provider. They will check your vaccination records or do a blood test to confirm immunity.

You may already be protected based on your birth year and vaccination history.

I was born before 1970.

You are likely immune since measles was common at that time.

If you are unsure, you can safely receive the MMR vaccine.

I was born between 1970 and 1995.

Check your records to confirm you received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Two doses are needed for full protection. If you don’t have proof, you can safely get vaccinated.

I was born after 1995.

Check your vaccination records to confirm you received two doses of the MMR or MMRV vaccine.

In Ontario, children receive two doses: one after their first birthday and another at 4 to 6 years of age.

 
  • Call your health care provider right away.
  • Isolate right away—stay home (do not go to school or work) and avoid contact with others
  • Important: Do not go directly to the hospital or your health care provider’s office without calling first. You must inform them that you have been exposed to someone with measles and are now experiencing symptoms.
  • Wear a well-fitting, high-quality face mask when seeking medical care.

Does the Health Unit Have My Records?

The health unit only keeps immunization records for 10 years after an individual’s 18th birthday. Whether your records are available depends on your birth year and school location:

  • Born in 1990 or later and attended school in Simcoe Muskoka: Your immunization record should be available online. To access it, you will need your Ontario health card number.
    • If you cannot find your record online or do not have an Ontario health card number, please call 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, ext. 8827 for assistance.
  • Born between 1970 and 1990 and attended school in Simcoe Muskoka: Your immunization record may be available in our archive database. Please call 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, ext. 8827. We will search the database to see if we can locate your record.
  • Born before 1970 or did not attend school in Simcoe Muskoka: Unfortunately, SMDHU does not have your immunization record on file. Other ways to find your records might include:
    • Contacting family members
    • Reaching out to your childhood health care provider
    • Contacting the health unit in the region where you attended school

How to Get a Copy of Your Child’s Immunization Record

Parents can access their child’s immunization records until the child’s 16th birthday by:

  • Using Immunization Connect Ontario, an online tool that serves as a digital alternative to paper immunization records.
  • Calling 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, ext. 8827, option #3

 

For Students 16 and Older

If a parent needs immunization records for a student 16 or older, the student must request the records themselves by calling 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520, ext. 8827, option #3


 

 
  • If you don’t have your vaccination records or can’t access them, you can safely get revaccinated.
  • Contact your health care provider or your local public health unit to check for records or to get vaccinated.
  • Parents can update and check their child’s vaccination records through the school immunization reporting system.

Information About Measles 

Measles is one of the world’s most contagious human respiratory virus. It spreads easily through the air when someone with measles breathes, coughs or sneezes.

Measles is preventable and risk of getting measles is low for people who have been fully immunized with two doses of measles vaccine or those born before 1970.

The measles virus is airborne and can float in the air for up to two hours after a person who has measles has left the area. This means that if you are not immunized against measles, you are at risk of getting measles if you spent time in the same area, even if you were not close to person who is ill.

Measles spreads when:

  • You breathe the air where an infected person coughs or sneezed.
  • You touch a surface with the virus on it then touch your eye, nose or mouth.
  • You can spread measles up to four days before the rash starts and until four days after the rash starts.

Symptoms of measles begin seven to 21 days after being near someone who has the virus. Early symptoms are similar to other respiratory illnesses, such as colds or influenza (flu), including:

  • Fever
  • Runny nose
  • Cough Drowsiness
  • Red eyes (conjunctivitis)
  • Small white spots (Koplik's spots) may appear on the inside of the mouth and throat but are not always present

Three to seven days after the start of the symptoms a red, blotchy (maculopapular) rash appears on the head and neck and then progresses down the body.  

Complications from measles can include:

  • Middle ear infections
  • Pneumonia
  • Diarrhea
  • Encephalitis (swelling of the brain)
  • Occasionally death in the very young

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective. One dose given at 12 or 15 months of age provides protection in about 85 to 95 per cent of people, and two doses provide close to 100 per cent. If you or your family members are not up to date, it's important to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Contact your family doctor or book an appointment at a local immunization clinic if you don’t have a health care provider.

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

Children & Adolescents

  • Routine Schedule: Two doses—first at 12 months, second at four to six years.
  • Traveling?
  • Babies six to 11 months traveling to areas with measles outbreaks should get an early dose.
  • Young children traveling to affected areas can receive their four-to-six-year dose early.
  • Missed a Dose? Many children missed vaccines during COVID-19. Ensure school-aged children have received their second dose.

Adults Born in 1970 or Later

  • 2 doses of measles vaccine are needed for full protection unless you have had measles infection
  • Health care workers and military personnel need to have proof of vaccinations (two doses) or immunity (blood test) in order to work.
  • Travelers going outside of Canada should be up to date at least 2 weeks before travel.

Adults Born Before 1970

  • People born in Canada before 1970 are generally presumed immune, as there was a lot of measles during that time and the vaccine was just being introduced. However, if you are unsure or traveling outside of Canada, consider getting a single dose due to rising global measles cases.

Unsure about Vaccination Status

  • You can safely get vaccinated with at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. A blood test can also be done to find out if someone is immune if they think they had a measles infection in the past.

Extra Precautions in Affected Areas in Southwestern Ontario

​If you live, work, travel, or spend time in communities with active measles cases (e.g., Grand Erie and Southwestern Ontario), follow these recommendations:

  • Infants (six to 11 months): One dose of the MMR vaccine before travel. Two additional doses are still required after age one.
  • Children (one to four years): If they’ve had one dose, they should get their second dose as soon as possible (at least four weeks after the first).
  • Adults (born in 1970 or later): Two doses of MMR is recommended.

Additional Safety Measures

  • Stay home if you're feeling sick.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

Immediately report all suspect or confirmed cases of measles infection to SMDHU at 705-721-7520 Extension 8809 during work hours (8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday) or after hours 1-888-225- 7851. For information and resources for health professionals visit our Resources for Health Professionals.
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