Toronto officials warn of possible measles exposure at Pearson airport

Toronto Public Health (TPH) is advising of another possible measles exposure at Canada’s largest airport.

In a news release on Friday, TPH said it was investigating a measles case involving someone who recently travelled abroad.

Those who may have been exposed to the contagious virus are the passengers of the Dec. 8 Emirates Airlines Flight EK241 from Dubai to Toronto and those at Pearson’s Terminal 1 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that same day.

TPH advises those affected to monitor for symptoms until Dec. 29. 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 inside the mouth and throat.

“Stay alert for symptoms even if vaccinated against measles. If symptoms develop, contact a health care provider immediately,” TPH said.

It is the second time this month that there has been possible measles exposure at Terminal 1. Peel Public Health said a recently confirmed case of measles involved someone who flew from Kabul to Toronto, transiting through Istanbul, on Dec. 4.

According to the latest data from Public Health Ontario, there are 63 cases of measles in the province as of Dec. 18. Two-thirds of the cases are children and adolescents.

In Toronto, nine cases have been reported this year.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has said the country is seeing an increase in measles activity this year compared to 2023.

As of Nov. 30, there are 138 cases nationwide, whereas last year there were only 12 measles cases.