Measles

Measles is a very contagious viral illness. The illness is more severe in young children, and adults over the age of 20 years. It is estimated that 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 cases of measles dies due to respiratory (lung) or neurological (brain) complications. Over 90% of people who aren't immune and who come into contact with it will become infected. If you are infected, you can spread Measles from 4 days before the onset of a rash to 4 days after a rash appears. The virus can live up to 2 hours in the air or on surfaces in a space where you've been.

Local Information

2023 Statistics

Incidence rate is the number of new cases of disease divided by the number of persons at risk for the disease during a particular time period.

Cases:
0*

*Includes confirmed cases in 2023.

Incidence rate per 100,000 in 2023: 0

Incidence rate per 100,000 of Measles by year

A line graph showing the crude rate and five year moving average of Measles by year within the Health Unit region between 2014 and 2023

Data Sources

Case counts: Public Health Ontario. Query: Case counts of reportable diseases by public health unit and year. Toronto, ON: Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion; extracted on April 23, 2024.
Population estimates: Statistics Canada 2014-2022, IntelliHEALTH Ontario, Ministry of Health, extracted on April 23, 2024.
Population projections: Statistics Canada, 2023, IntelliHEALTH Ontario, Ministry of Health, extracted on April 23, 2024.

More Information about Measles

Public Health Agency of Canada: English and Français
Ministry of Health Fact Sheet: English and Français

Reporting

Report to the Health Unit immediately by phone at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229 if measles is suspected or confirmed as per Ontario Regulation 135/18 and amendments under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O., c.H.7.

Should one go to childcare, school, or work if they have measles?

Exclude from work, school, childcare, and other public activities for 4 days from the onset of the rash and only return once well enough to participate comfortably in activities.

Follow the direction of your healthcare provider, public health case manager, or occupational health at your workplace.

Vaccine Information

Measles is preventable by vaccination. Check your vaccination records or call the Vaccine Preventable Diseases program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5252 to book a vaccination appointment or to obtain additional information.

Born before 1970:

You likely had the measles virus as a child and are protected if you did, but can get vaccinated in you are unsure.

Born after 1970:

Double check that you have two doses of a measles vaccine (a two-dose series was not introduced in Canada until 1996, so you may not have the recommended two doses).

Vaccine Recommendations:

Infants who are 6 to 11 months of age who will be travelling to areas with increased measles transmission.
Children who are 4 to 6 years of age.
Children who missed their second dose of the MMR vaccine.
Adults who are 18 years and older who have previously received one dose of the MMR vaccine should receive a second dose if they are healthcare workers, military personnel, post-secondary students, planning to travel outside of Canada or based on the healthcare provider’s recommendation.

Healthcare Provider Information

Contact our Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229, or by email to cdc@healthunit.ca for more information.

Last updated: August 2024, by CDC