Quebec Health Ministry reports new measles cases

Four new cases of measles in Quebec have been confirmed as of Jan. 3 in connection with an outbreak that began in December, public health authorities say. 

Those cases are "epidemiologically linked" and were acquired in Quebec, the province's Health Ministry said on Saturday in a statement to Radio-Canada.

The first person was exposed to someone who resides outside the country and travelled to Quebec while they were contagious, before being diagnosed. 

56 confirmed cases of measles were reported in Quebec in 2024, including 51 in the first outbreak between February and June.

A public health advisory has been issued and the locations of possible exposure include: 

• Bleu & Persillé in Montreal on Jan. 3 between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. 
• Fairmount Bagel in Montreal on Jan. 3 between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.  
• Poissonnerie Falero in Montreal on Jan. 3 between 3:30 and 6 p.m.
• Médicale Art Médic clinic in Montreal on Dec. 22, 2024 between 10:30 a.m. and 1:40 p.m.
• Imagix - Radiologie Chomedey in Laval on Dec. 22, 2024 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
• Polestar car dealership in Laval on Dec. 19, 2024 between 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Saint-Jérôme Hospital's emergency department on Dec. 11, 2024 between 11:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on Dec. 28, 2024 between 7:04 p.m. and 9:09 p.m.

Other places can be found on the government website. The ministry advises Quebecers to consult the page regularly, as information may be updated.

Some of those infected reside in the Laurentians region, according to the ministry.

"Given the small number of cases (less than five), we are unable to provide a breakdown by administrative region, for privacy reasons," the statement reads.

People who have visited one of those places — especially those who have not been "properly vaccinated" — are encouraged to keep an eye on symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and general malaise, followed by redness of the face and body.