Health officials warn of potential measles exposure at Toronto Pearson

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating a case of measles that has been linked to an international flight that landed at Pearson airport (YYZ) earlier this month.

According to a news release, TPH says that anyone who was on board Air Canada Flight AC002 from Tokyo to Toronto on March 2 may have been exposed to the virus.

Officials add that anyone who was in Terminal 1 at the airport between 4:50 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on March 2 is at risk of exposure.

“Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks,” TPH said in a statement.

“The virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. People can become infected if they breathe contaminated air or touch an infected surface, then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.”

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease and anyone who thinks they may have been exposed are being asked to check their vaccination records.

The vaccine is typically given at 12 months of age, with a second dose between four to six years of age.

“Anyone who has not received two doses of the measles vaccine or has not had measles disease is at risk of infection,” TPH said.

People born in 1970 or later require two doses of the measles vaccine for the best protection if they have not had the virus, officials say.  Anyone born before 1970 may have had a measles infection when the virus was common in Canada.

Anyone unsure about their vaccination status can receive the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. A blood test can also be done to determine immunity, says TPH.

Travellers who may have been exposed at Pearson are being asked to monitor for symptoms until Sunday, March 23.

Symptoms can include fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, a red rash that begins on the face and spreads down the body and small blue-white spots (that can appear on the inside of the mouth and throat.

“If symptoms develop, contact a health care provider immediately, said TPH.

More information about measles is available on the City of Toronto’s measles fact sheet.

Measles alerts at Pearson

The alert marks the second time in recent weeks that measles has been reported at Pearson.

A Feb. 22 Korean Air flight from Seoul, South Korea was also investigated by health officials following a confirmed case of measles in York Region.

This latest alert comes amid a rise in measles cases in Ontario.

Data from Public Health Ontario shows that there have been 127 confirmed measles cases in Ontario as of Feb. 26, with another 50 probable cases. The majority of those infected have been adolescents and children, officials say.

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