Measles Cases in Ontario: How to Get Vaccinated Fast

Measles is circulating in Ontario again, and the most recent public exposure site is about as high-traffic as it gets: Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International Airport. If you flew through the GTA in mid-June, or you're simply not sure whether you're protected, here's what's actually going on — and how to get checked or vaccinated quickly.

What's happening right now

Peel Public Health has confirmed a travel-related measles case with exposure at Pearson Airport's Terminal 1 on June 13, along with two connecting flights (Ethiopian Airlines ET552 from Addis Ababa, and Air Canada AC410 to Montreal). Anyone in those locations was told to watch for symptoms through July 4.

This isn't an isolated blip. Canada lost its measles elimination status in 2025 after sustained transmission of a single strain led to more than 5,400 cases nationwide — the country's largest outbreak in decades. Case counts in 2026 are much lower, but the virus is still circulating at low levels, with recent activity concentrated in Ontario, Manitoba, and Quebec.

Public Health Ontario's latest guidance (updated late June 2026) makes clear the risk to the general public remains low — but measles is one of the most contagious viruses known, so pockets of under-vaccinated people can still see clusters flare up around a single traveler.

How it spreads, and what to watch for

Measles spreads through respiratory droplets and can also linger in the air of a room for up to two hours after an infected person has left. Symptoms typically show up in this order:

• Fever, often high
• Cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes
• A red, blotchy rash that usually starts on the face 3–5 days after the fever begins

A person is contagious for several days before the rash even appears, which is exactly why airport and flight exposures are so hard to contain.

Are you protected?

You're generally considered protected against measles if any of the following apply:

• You were born before 1970 (near-universal natural immunity from childhood exposure)
• You've had two documented doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine
• You have lab-confirmed immunity or a prior confirmed measles infection

If you're not sure, the safest move is to check your vaccination records with your family doctor, or get a catch-up dose. You can find one through family doctors accepting patients or, for a faster same-day option, a walk-in clinic near you — including options in Mississauga, close to where the Pearson exposure occurred. If you have upcoming travel, it's worth checking your immunization status well ahead of time through a travel vaccine clinic.

If you think you were exposed

• Monitor for symptoms for 21 days after the exposure date.
• If you work in healthcare, a school, or childcare and aren't fully protected, stay home and call your local public health unit before returning.
• If symptoms develop, do not simply walk into a clinic or emergency department waiting room. Call ahead first — your doctor's office, a walk-in clinic, or the ER — so staff can prepare an isolation space before you arrive. This one phone call is what actually stops the next round of exposures.

When to go to the ER — and when to call ahead instead

For most people, measles is unpleasant but manageable at home with rest, fluids, and fever control under a doctor's guidance by phone. But go to the emergency department (or call 911) if you or your child have:

• Difficulty breathing or persistent chest pain
• A high fever that won't come down, or signs of dehydration
• Confusion, a stiff neck, or a seizure
• You're pregnant, an infant under 12 months, or immunocompromised and were exposed

Before heading in, it's worth checking live ER wait times across the region — including hospitals near Pearson and Peel Region such as Brampton Civic Hospital — and always call ahead to flag a possible measles exposure so the department can isolate you on arrival.

FAQ

Is it safe to fly through Pearson right now? Yes — this was a single, time-limited exposure event tied to specific flights and terminal areas on June 13. There's no ongoing risk at the airport itself. The concern is only for people who were physically present during the listed windows.

I'm an adult and don't remember if I got the MMR vaccine. What should I do? Contact your family doctor's office to check your immunization records, or visit a walk-in clinic — they can review your history or simply give you a precautionary dose, which is safe even if you were already immune.

Can my pharmacy give me the MMR vaccine? Not typically. MMR is a live vaccine usually given by a family doctor, walk-in clinic, or public health unit in Ontario, unlike some of the newer vaccines pharmacists can now administer. Use clinic search to find a provider that offers it.

My child feels unwell after possible exposure — where should we go? Call your child's doctor or a walk-in clinic first and describe the exposure before you arrive. For serious symptoms like breathing trouble or a high, unresponsive fever, go straight to the emergency department or call 911.

Find care today

Whether you need to confirm your MMR status, get a catch-up dose, or just have a symptom checked out, search CanClinics to find a walk-in clinic, family doctor, or urgent care location near you — with live wait times so you're not guessing before you go.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

Source: Public Health Ontario — Measles