Possible Measles Exposure at Toronto Pearson Airport, City’s Public Health Department Warns

People are seen at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on March 10, 2023. The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette

Toronto’s public health department is warning that people who recently travelled through Pearson International Airport may have been exposed to measles.

In a news release on Dec. 20, Toronto Public Health (TPH) says a person with a case of measles was on a flight from Dubai to Toronto on Dec. 8.

Passengers on Emirates Airlines Flight EK241 that day and anyone in Terminal 1 between approximately 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. may have been exposed to the virus, according to the release.

TPH says the measles virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

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

“People can become infected if they breathe contaminated air or touch an infected surface, then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.”

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

TPH advised those who believe they may have been exposed to the virus on the flight or in Terminal 1 to monitor for symptoms until Dec. 29.

They should also check their vaccination record, the department said, noting that “anyone who has not received two doses of the measles vaccine or has not had measles before is at risk of infection.” Even those who have been vaccinated against measles should stay alert for symptoms, TPH advised.

‘Recent History of International Travel’

Other cases of “internationally acquired” measles infection have likewise been recently reported. Just a day before TPH made its announcement, the Alberta Health Services (AHS) issued a similar warning, saying “an individual with lab-confirmed measles has been in public settings in Calgary while infectious.”

AHS said the person is believed to have been infected outside of Canada, but since arriving in Calgary, has visited a large grocery store and the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Anyone who were at the following locations on the specified dates and during the specified times may have been exposed to measles, AHS said in a Dec. 19 health advisory.

Dec. 11

• WestJet Flight WS 1553, from Seattle to Calgary
• Calgary International Airport (YYC) Gate D89, from 5:55 p.m. to 7:55 p.m.
• YYC international baggage claim area, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• YYC international arrivals waiting area, from 6.30 p.m. to 8:50 p.m.

Dec. 14

• Real Canadian Superstore Westwinds (Unit 100, 3633 Westwinds Drive NE), approximately 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Dec. 15

• Alberta Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, from 12:38 a.m. to 10:47 p.m.
• Alberta Children’s Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Department, from 10:24 a.m. to 12:24 p.m.

Dec. 15 to 17

• Alberta Children’s Hospital, Unit 4, from 8:47 p.m., Dec. 15, to 10:08 p.m., Dec. 17

Earlier, Peel Public Health (PPH), the department that oversees disease prevention in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon in the Greater Toronto Area, also reported a case of measles that was confirmed on Dec. 10 “with a recent history of international travel.”

Specifically, travellers who flew with Turkish Airlines on Dec. 4 either from Kabul to Istanbul via Flight TK707 or from Istanbul to Toronto via Flight TK17, or both, may have been exposed to measles.

In addition, anyone in Terminal 1 of Pearson Airport approximately from 6:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 may have been exposed, PPH said.