Residents Warned Of Possible Measles Exposure

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Published May 7, 2018 at 9:01 pm

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Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating a lab-confirmed case of measles in an infant who recently travelled abroad and landed at Pearson Airport in Mississauga.  

TPH say residents may have been exposed to measles on an April 29 Saudia Airlines flight (Flight SV0759) that departed from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India at 8 p.m. The flight arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at 11:05 p.m. on April 29.

Exposure also could have occurred on an April 30 Saudia Airlines flight (Flight SV0061) that departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at 3:40 a.m. and arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport at 9:45 a.m. on April 30.

On May 4, others could have been exposed at pediatric outpatient services at Humber River Hospital in Toronto.

TPH says measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily to those who are susceptible. Anyone who has not had two doses of a measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV) or who has not had measles in the past is at risk of infection.

Infants under one year of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can get very ill with measles.

If you believe you might have been exposed, you are advised to do the following:

1) Check your immunization record to make sure you and your family members are up to date with the measles vaccination (MMR or MMRV). If you are unsure, please check with your healthcare provider. In general, those born before 1970 are considered protected against measles.

2) Watch for symptoms of measles (even if you’ve been vaccinated). These include a high fever, cold-like symptoms (cough/runny nose), sore eyes or sensitivity to light and a red rash lasting four to seven days.

3) If you have not had two doses of measles vaccine and you were born after 1970, a dose of vaccine is recommended to prevent the infection. This is only effective if given within three days of the exposure. 

4) Infants under one year of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can get very ill with measles. If you believe you have been exposed, you can call TPH at 416-338-7600 or consult your doctor.

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