Hamilton-area public health officials confirm case of measles, warn of exposure at Pearson airport, hospitals

Health officials are warning the public of a confirmed measles case and say others in Hamilton and the surrounding region may have been exposed to the highly contagious disease.

The Brant County Health Unit said a child from the Brantford, Ont. area picked up measles on a recent trip to Europe. 

People may have been exposed to the measles at Brantford General Hospital's emergency department on Friday, Feb. 23 between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., and at McMaster Children's Hospital's emergency department on Saturday, Feb. 24 between about 6 a.m. and 2 p.m., public health officials said in news releases. 

People could've also been exposed on Lufthansa Flight 6584 travelling from London, U.K.'s Heathrow airport to Toronto's Pearson airport on Friday afternoon and at Pearson's Terminal 1 between 6 and 9 p.m., The Brant County Health Unit said.

Brant public health officials did not release the age of the child, but said they were hospitalized as of Wednesday. 

"We are seeing a rise in measles cases around the world, and increased risk at home," said Dr. Brendan Lew, associate medical officer of health at the City of Hamilton. 

"Measles is a serious preventable threat that can impact lives at any age." 

Canada eliminated measles back in 1998 through widespread vaccination programs. Here, the vaccine is given to children as two doses of a combined shot that also protects against a combination of infections — either measles, mumps and rubella, or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. 

The annual case count remains small — only a dozen confirmed infections were reported country-wide in 2023 — and most cases are now acquired through travel outside the country.

But clinicians say outbreaks are still a risk. Measles spread easily between those who haven't been vaccinated or haven't previously had measles, public health said. 

Symptoms begin one to three weeks after infection and include a high fever over 38.8 C, cough, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability, red, watery eyes, small white spots with white centres on the inside of the mouth and throat, and a red, blotchy rash. 

Infants under one year of age, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk of severe complications. 

People who think they may have been exposed to the measles virus should: 

• Contact public health. 
• Check immunization records of themselves and their family members to see if they are up-to-date on their measles vaccinations. Two doses are recommended for anyone born after 1969. 
• Watch for symptoms, even if they've been vaccinated.