Measles

Visit Potential Public Exposures for a list of places where people may have been exposed to the measles virus in Waterloo Region.

Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a highly contagious virus. It is a virus that is easily spread through the air, from person to person, through breathing, coughing or sneezing. Measles is the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in children worldwide.

There has been increased measles activity in Southwestern Ontario. While measles cases are usually linked to travel outside of Ontario, since measles is highly contagious, a single case can result in local outbreaks, particularly among persons who are not fully protected against measles.

Public Health Ontario provides detailed information on measles cases in Ontario. This information is updated weekly. View the latest Measles in Ontario Enhanced Epidemiological Summary report.

Information on measles for health care providers can be found on the Health Care Providers page. 

On this page:

• How measles spreads
• Symptoms of measles
• Measles exposure
• Prevent measles with vaccination 
  • Routine vaccination
  • Additional vaccine recommendations for Western Ontario (including Waterloo Region)
• Additional resources 

How measles spreads

• If you come into contact with someone who has measles, you could develop symptoms about 7 to 21 days later.
• Measles can spread if you have shared the same room or airspace with a person who has measles.
• A person is contagious from four days before the rash begins until four days after the rash has appeared.
• Measles can remain in the environment for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.

Symptoms of measles

• Measles begins with cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, and red, watery eyes that are sensitive to light.
• Small white spots sometimes appear in the mouth and back of the throat.
• 3 to 7 days later, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
• The rash lasts 4 to 7 days.
• Serious complications can occur such as:
  • One in ten children will develop an ear infection or bronchopneumonia.
  • One in one thousand children will develop an infection of the brain (encephalitis).
  • One or two out of a thousand children will die as a result of measles.

If you have symptoms, please stay home and call your health care provider to guide your next steps. If you do not have a health care provider, you can call 811. You can also use the measles self-assessment tool.

Measles Self-Assessment Tool

Measles exposure 

A list of places in Waterloo Region that people may have been exposed to the measles virus is available on the Potential Public Exposures page.

If you think you have been exposed to measles:

• Stay home if you are ill to avoid passing germs to others.
• Seek medical attention when exposure is suspected and before any symptoms appear.
• Those who notice possible symptoms are asked to stay home and call ahead before visiting a clinic.

If you have been exposed to a person with measles and are not fully protected against measles, you are at risk of developing the disease.

See Measles Exposures in Ontario for information about measles exposure locations in Ontario.

If you think you have been exposed to measles, click the button to access the Measles Self-Assessment Tool to guide your next steps.

Measles Self-Assessment Tool

For further information please call Public Health at 519-575-4480 (Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Prevent measles with vaccination 

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against measles. 

Routine vaccination

The following outlines general vaccine recommendations. See additional recommendations for Western Ontario (including Waterloo Region). 

Routine vaccination recommendations for children

• Current Ontario recommendations are that children receive two doses of a measles vaccine:
• First dose on/after their first birthday.
• Second dose at 4 to 6 years old.
• For some infants 6 to 12 months of age, one dose of the a measles vaccine can provide protection if there is a risk of exposure.

Routine vaccination recommendations for adults 

• Born in 1970 or later:
• Should have at least one dose of the measles vaccine.
• A second dose is recommended for international travellers and post-secondary students.
• Born before 1970:
• Adults born before 1970 are considered to be immune to measles based on probable exposure earlier in life.
• One dose of the measles vaccine is recommended for international travellers and post-secondary students.
• Health care workers or military personnel:
  • Two doses of the measles vaccine are recommended regardless of year of birth (or laboratory evidence of measles immunity).

Additional vaccine recommendations for Western Ontario

Waterloo Region is currently part of the larger area of western Ontario that is being affected by measles virus. Public Health Ontario's measles outbreak-related immunization schedule includes a map of all affected areas in the province and a comparison of routine and additional vaccine recommendations.

The following recommendations are currently in effect for Waterloo Region: 

Vaccine recommendations for children 

• Infants older than 6 months and younger than 12 months: 
  • Get one dose of measles vaccine.
    
  • Two more doses will still be required after their first birthday. 

How can I find my vaccination records?

There are a few ways to locate vaccination records:

• Look for your yellow vaccination record (also known as the immunization card). Measles vaccines are listed as “MMR”, “M” or “MMRV” on vaccination records.
• Contact your health care provider. They may have a copy on file.
• Check with the public health unit where you or your child attended school. For Region of Waterloo Public Health, you can look up records online.

Where to get vaccinated

• Vaccination options for school-aged children
• Speak to your health care provider or visit a walk-in clinic
• Find a travel vaccination clinic 

Additional resources 

• Immunize Canada measles fact sheet 
• Measles vaccine information
• Ontario immunization schedule