Measles

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Confirmed Cases: 12 Active Cases: 0

Measles exposure locations have been identified in our region. Please see below for information and important instructions.

If you have symptoms, isolate immediately and avoid contact with others. Call a clinic or hospital before going to get tested so they can prepare for your arrival and prevent exposing others.

Check my Vaccination Status Vaccine Recommendations Info for Healthcare Professionals

Local Measles Exposures 2025

Measles spreads through the air when a sick person breathes, coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area. People can become infected if they breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.

The following locations in our district have been identified as places where one would have been exposed.

North Bay Regional Health Centre

50 College Dr, North Bay

Tuesday, April 1 at 4:30 p.m. to Thursday, April 3 at midnight
- East main entrance lobby, retail pharmacy, hallways, common areas

Northgate Shopping Centre

100 Fisher St, North Bay

Saturday, March 29, 3:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.

Northland Bus Terminal & Busses

100 Station Rd, North Bay

Saturday, March 29, 3:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.

Northland Bus Routes

On Saturday, March 29:

From: Veteran’s Park in Cobden

Scheduled departure: Noon (12 p.m.)

To: Bus Terminal in North Bay

Scheduled arrival: 3:15 p.m.

The same bus arrives in Sudbury at 5: 30 p.m.

From: Bus Terminal in North Bay

Scheduled departure: 4:15 p.m.

To: Bus Terminal in Timmins

Scheduled arrival: 10 p.m.

From: Bus Terminal in North Bay

Scheduled departure: 3:45 pm

To: Bus Terminal in Sudbury

Scheduled arrival: 5:20 p.m.

We're here to help.

Instructions:

If you were at the above locations during the time indicated and meet any of the following criteria, contact our new Measles call centre at 705-707-1455 as soon as possible and we can discuss the best next steps for you:

Infants under 12 months of age

Immunocompromised individuals

Individuals born after January 1, 1970, and who are not vaccinated with two doses of an MMR or MMRV vaccine, or haven’t had measles in the past

A healthcare worker or military personnel born in any year who is not vaccinated with two doses of an MMR or MMRV vaccine

We kindly ask that anyone not at the exposure locations during the time indicated, or who do not meet the above criteria, refrain from contacting the call centre so phone lines can stay open for those at higher risk of exposure.

You are considered protected from measles and do not have to contact us if you or your child do not fit the above criteria.

Call Centre Hours

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of measles?

Symptoms of measles can take seven to 21 days to develop after exposure (usually 10 to 12 days). The first symptoms to appear are:

Fever (oral temperature of ≥ 38.3°C)

Cough

Runny nose

Red, watery eyes

Two to three days after developing the first symptoms, small white spots may appear in the inside of the mouth and throat (Koplik spots).

About three to seven days after symptoms begin, a rash develops on the face then spreads to the rest of the body. This rash can last four to seven days.

What should I do if I have symptoms?

Anyone who experiences measles symptoms needs to isolate immediately and avoid contact with others. Call before getting tested at a clinic or hospital so measures can be put in place to prevent exposing others.

Stay home from work, school, childcare and other public activities for four days from the onset of the rash. Only return once well enough to participate in activities.

Note: Guidelines for absence may differ for healthcare workers. Follow the direction of your healthcare provider, public health case manager, or occupational health at your workplace.

If you suspect or confirm a case of measles, you are required to report it to us immediately by phone at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, Ext. 5229.

How long is someone with Measles contagious?

Someone with Measles can spread the virus from four days before, to four days after the first sign of a rash.

Treatment

There is no treatment for measles. Drink plenty of fluids, get lots of rest, and seek medical attention if symptoms are not manageable at home.

Long-term complications

Many people fully recover from measles within two to three weeks, but some people will have complications that can include:

Ear infection

Pneumonia

Diarrhea

Respiratory failure

Inflammation and swelling of the brain

Blindness

Deafness

Intellectual disability

Complications for people who get Measles while pregnant can include:

Miscarriage

Premature labour

Giving birth to an infant with a low birth weight

If I've already had measles, can I get it again?

Most likely not. Being infected with Measles generally gives you lifelong immunity to the virus.

Vaccination

Check your immunization record to make sure you're up-to-date with your MMR vaccine, and get caught up on any outstanding doses based on the guidance below.

What are your recommendations for receiving the MMR vaccine?

Adults

If you are born before 1970, you are presumed to have natural immunity to measles.
Every adult is eligible for one dose of the MMR vaccine if they have never received one previously.
Adults who have only received one dose of the MMR vaccine are eligible to receive a second dose:
- If they are health care workers
- If they are post-secondary students
- If they are in the military
- If they are planning to travel to areas where disease is of concern
- Based on the health care provider’s clinical judgment

Children

Children should receive two doses of measles-containing vaccine:
- One dose of the MMR vaccine at one year of age (on/after the first birthday)
- One dose of the MMRV vaccine (or MMR and Varicella vaccines) between four and six years of age

Infants

Protect them by getting the vaccine yourself. Infants are at the highest risk of getting measles as they are not usually given the vaccine until 12 months of age.

Infants six to eleven months of age can be given an MMR vaccine if they have been exposed to measles (within 72 hours of exposure) or if they are travelling to, and staying in, an area where the risk of exposure to measles is higher. In Ontario, the following health unit districts are areas where the risk of exposure to measles is higher: Huron Perth Public Health, Southwestern Public Health, Grand Erie Public Health, and Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

Note: If the MMR vaccine is given at this age, it will not provide lasting protection against the virus. Two additional doses are required at ≥1 year of age and at appropriate intervals.

Healthcare workers

Refer to guidance on our healthcare professionals page.

I've had two doses, but they were a long time ago. Do I need a booster dose?

No, people who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine are considered protected for life and never need a booster dose.

What if I can't find my vaccine record?

If you, your healthcare provider and the Health Unit are not able to retrieve your vaccination record, you are considered unimmunized and can be started on an age-appropriate routine immunization schedule as per the publicly funded immunization schedule.

Even if you received a vaccine in the past, it's safe to get additional doses of the MMR vaccine.

Will you be holding vaccine clinics?

We are continuing to monitor and assess the situation and cannot speculate on the availability of mass vaccination clinics at this time. Should we determine vaccine clinics are required, we will share details as they become available.

How can I book a vaccine appointment?

To book a vaccine appointment with us, email vpd@healthunit.ca or call 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5252. Your patience is appreciated as we anticipate a high volume of calls. We will do our best to return your call as soon as possible. Our hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

You can also contact your health care provider to request an appointment.

How long does it take for the vaccine to work in your body?

The body needs time to produce protective antibodies in response to the vaccine. People are usually fully protected after about two week post-vaccination.

How effective is the measles vaccine?

Short answer: very! Two doses of the measles vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles if exposed to the virus. One dose is about 93% effective.

Did you know?:

Very few people (about three out of 100) who get two doses of the MMR vaccine will still get measles if exposed to it. It's not known why this occurs, but it could be that the immune system did not respond as well as it should have to the vaccine.
Most people who are fully vaccinated and get measles have a milder illness and may be less likely to spread the virus to other people, especially those who are unable to receive vaccination due to age, pregnancy, or being immunocompromised.
The measles, mumps, rubella vaccine can prevent illness, including severe illness, hospitalization, death, and long-term complications.

Over 90 per cent of people who aren't vaccinated and come into contact with measles will become infected.

Last updated: April 6, 2025

More Information

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2024 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 2024.

Incidence rate per 100,000 in 2024: 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 2015 and 2024

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 January 16, 2025.
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.

The cases we are seeing in 2025 are the first confirmed cases in our district since 1995.

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: April 2025, by Communications and CDC