Montreal public health warns of measles exposure at airport and hospital
A child with measles was at Montreal-Trudeau airport and Sainte-Justine hospital while contagious, public health says.
MONTREAL — Montreal's public health authority has reported a new measles case and is warning of possible exposure at the city's airport and a hospital.
The health authority announced a child with measles was in the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport late Friday and in the Sainte-Justine hospital early on Saturday while still contagious.
Quebec public health authorities said the child passed through the airport on Oct. 9 and went to the hospital's emergency department on Oct. 10 while contagious.
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"Measles is a highly contagious disease, and people who were at the locations during the specified exposure periods may be considered contacts of a confirmed case," the authorities said.
The health authority asks people who may have come in contact with the child to monitor themselves for symptoms and seek preventive treatment if they are not vaccinated.
"Anyone who was exposed and is not protected against measles must isolate, according to public health guidance," the authority said.
Some people who may have been exposed could receive a text message or phone call from the regional public health department with recommendations on what to do next.
Quebec's public health authorities advise checking the list of possible exposure sites regularly, as information may change as investigations continue.
The most recent measles outbreak in Quebec ended in August after 28 reported cases.
Federal measles data shows 1,121 cases have been reported in Canada this year as of Sept. 26.
In November 2025, Canada officially lost its measles-free status, which it had held since 1998.
The Pan American Health Organization revoked the status after it confirmed the same strain of the virus had been transmitted in Canada for over a year.
"Measles is an extremely contagious disease and can lead to serious complications, like blindness, encephalitis, pneumonia and even death in some cases," public health authorities said.
The main symptoms are a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
With files from The Canadian Press, Narcity and Toronto Star