Montreal’s public health authorities have issued a warning regarding potential exposure to the measles virus following the confirmation of a new case involving a child during the past weekend. According to a notification posted on the Montreal public health website, the child was contagious while present at Montreal’s Trudeau airport on the evening of Friday, Oct. 9, between 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET. The potential exposure areas at the airport included the international arrivals section, passport control, baggage claim, and the path leading to the airport exit.
The child also visited the emergency department of the CHU Sainte-Justine hospital the next morning, Saturday, Oct. 10, from 6 a.m. until just before noon. Individuals who were present at these locations during the specified dates and times are advised to verify their immunity status against measles. Immunity is confirmed for individuals who have received two doses of the vaccine or were born before 1970.
Those who suspect exposure and lack immunity or have never contracted measles are urged to contact Info-Santé at 811. Prompt administration of preventive treatment may be necessary as highlighted in the advisory. Unprotected individuals are recommended to self-isolate at home starting from the fifth day following initial exposure up to two weeks post-exposure. Accordingly, individuals possibly exposed at the airport on Friday, Oct. 9, should isolate from Oct. 14 to 23, while those at the hospital on Saturday, Oct. 10, should isolate from Oct. 15 to 24.
Furthermore, it is advised that individuals in this category avoid contact with unvaccinated persons, particularly infants under one year old and individuals with compromised immune systems. Those who may have been exposed and lack measles immunity should monitor themselves for symptoms until the end of the month.
Measles is a contagious infection spread through the air or direct contact with infected droplets. In susceptible individuals, it can lead to complications like pneumonia, vision or hearing impairment, encephalitis, and, in rare instances, death. While there is no specific treatment for measles, vaccination is highly effective in preventing the disease and its associated complications. A recent outbreak in Quebec during the summer saw 28 reported cases of measles.