Hamilton public health confirms travel-related measles case

Hamilton Public Health has confirmed a case of measles in a child who lives in the city following recent travel.

Health officials say the child contracted the illness during recent travel to India and is currently isolating at home.

Following investigations led by public health on possible exposures and contacts to the individual, it has determined that members of the public may have been exposed to the virus at two possible sites.

Hamilton Public Health Services has received confirmation of a case of measles in a child, who resides in Hamilton.

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The first was aboard Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight SV 61 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Toronto Pearson International Airport on March 5.

The second was subsequently at Toronto Pearson’s Terminal Three between the hours of 3:25 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. that day.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton, Brant County health officials confirm case of measles

Hamilton Public Health says it has not been made aware of any additional exposure sites in the city at this time.

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a respiratory virus that easily spreads to those who are not vaccinated against it, or who have not previously contracted the disease.

Infants under the age of one, those who are pregnant, and people with weakened immune systems are all considered to be at an increased risk for severe complications.

Hamilton Public Health says symptoms typically develop within seven to 21 days after infection and may include a high fever, red, watery eyes, small white spots with white centers, and a red, blotchy rash three to seven days after symptoms start, among others.

READ MORE: Measles patient had ‘close contacts’ at a York Region high school: public health

Anyone who believes they may have come in contact with the virus is asked to contact public health, check vaccination records and monitor symptoms.

The presence of a case in Hamilton comes amid a rise in cases globally that has prompted Canada’s national public health agency to “strongly advise” that everyone check they are fully immunized against measles.

The disease was declared as eradicated in Canada in 1988, meaning cases were no longer originating from within the country.

Effective prevention requires that 95 percent of the population be vaccinated. In recent years Canada’s vaccination coverage for measles has dipped below this threshold, partly due to disruptions to routine childhood vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.