Timmins, Ontario — Northeastern Public Health (NEPH) is reporting 2 cases of measles in the District of Timiskaming.  The risk to the public is low and the health unit continues to monitor the situation. 

The individuals diagnosed with measles are currently in isolation and following the appropriate public health measures. Upon investigation of one of the confirmed cases of measles in the health unit area, an exposure was identified on Saturday, March 29, 2025, on Ontario Northland Buses and rest stops along the way.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious complications. A person with measles is contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears. The measles virus can live in the air for up to two hours, even after the person with measles has left the area.

The virus spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The first symptoms of measles are a fever, a runny nose, sneezing, a cough, and red, sore, watery eyes. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth. A rash usually appears after two to three days and starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.

If you were present at the locations identified below, were born on or after January 1, 1970, and are not up to date with your vaccination, you are asked to call public health.

If you think you have been exposed and live in the:

§  Northeastern Public Health region (formerly Timiskaming Health Unit and Porcupine Health Unit), call 1-877-442-1212

§  Renfrew County and District Health Unit region, call 613-732-3629

§  North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (NBPSDHU) region, call 705-707-1455

§  Public Health Sudbury and Districts region, call 1-866-522-9200.

If you are protected against measles, it is very unlikely that you will develop the disease. As a precautionary measure, watch for measles symptoms until 21 days after the date of exposure.

People are considered protected if they have at least one of the following: 

§  Proof of vaccination with two valid doses of measles-containing vaccine (e.g. MMR vaccine)

§  Blood work showing antibodies to measles

§  Documentation of prior laboratory-confirmed measles infection

§  Born before 1970 (with the exception of health care workers and military)

If you do not have any of the above, you are not protected against measles.

If you think you have been exposed, and you are not protected against measles:

§  If you attend or work at a school, childcare, or healthcare setting, you MUST stay home and contact your local public health unit for further direction. 

§  If you have had no doses of MMR vaccine, stay at home and contact your local public health unit for further direction.

§  If you have had one dose of MMR vaccine, call your healthcare provider or your local public health unit to receive an additional dose of MMR vaccine. Notify your healthcare provider of your exposure so that they can take appropriate precautions to limit the spread of measles. Unless you work in a healthcare setting, you can immediately return to work, school, or daycare after you get a second dose of measles-containing vaccine.

§  If you (or a family member) are at high risk of complications as listed below, contact your healthcare provider or your local public health unit to discuss options to reduce the risk of measles infection through vaccination or a product called immunoglobulin. For these to be effective, they must be given very soon after exposure.

o   Babies under one year age who have not received measles vaccine

o   People with a severely weakened immune system

o   Pregnant individuals who are not protected against measles

o   If you are uncertain about your vaccination status, call your healthcare provider or check the Legacy Porcupine Health Unit website via ICON, or the Legacy Timiskaming Health Unit website via ICON, to determine if you have received an MMR vaccine in the past.

§  Watch for measles symptoms until 21 days after the date of exposure.

o   If you develop symptoms and need medical care, call ahead before you visit the doctor, clinic, or hospital to inform them of your exposure to measles so they can prepare for your arrival and take appropriate precautions. Wear a mask if you need to seek medical attention.

o   If you develop symptoms and do not need medical care, call your local public health unit.

Symptoms can appear 7 to 21 days after contact with someone who has the measles virus. Measles symptoms include:

§  A high temperature

§  A runny or blocked nose

§  Sneezing

§  Coughing

§  Red, sore, watery eyes

§  Spots in the mouth. Small white spots may appear inside the cheeks and on the back of the lips after a few days. These spots usually last a few days.

§  A rash usually appears a few days after the cold-like symptoms. The rash starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body.

If you think you have measles, isolate immediately and call your health care provider to discuss testing. Call before visiting any healthcare setting so that they can prepare for your arrival. Wear a mask if you need to seek medical attention. 

For more information about measles and the measles vaccine, visit https://phu.fyi/measles.  For information in French, visit https://phu.fyi/rougeole.  

Media Contact:
Gary Schelling
Communication Specialist
[email protected]