Measles is a viral respiratory infection that spreads easily from person to person. Getting vaccinated against measles is safe, and it is the most effective way to prevent infection.
The measles self-assessment tool can help you determine if you are protected against measles, what to do if you are experiencing symptoms, were exposed to the measles virus, or are unsure about your risk.
Measles can have serious health complications, especially for certain groups of people. People who are not vaccinated or have not received their full series of vaccines are also at higher risk of infection.
Public Health alerts the community and individuals if they were potentially exposed to measles locally. When exposures occur, Public Health and health care providers work together to provide information and possibly recommend that eligible people receive vaccinations or immune globulin as soon as possible after the exposure to increase their protection from infection. Information about exposures to measles (locations, dates, times) is available through Public Health Ontario.
After a possible exposure
- Check your immunization records.
- Learn whether to contact your health care provider or Public Health.
- Monitor for symptoms.
- Tell your employer.
Learn who to contact after a potential exposure
Contact your health care provider as soon as possible to discuss vaccination if:
- Your child is 6 to 12 months of age and it has been LESS than 72 hours since they were exposed.
- If it has been MORE than 72 hours but LESS than 6 days since your child’s exposure OR if your child is LESS than 6 months of age, contact Public Health.
- Your child is 12 months to 17 years of age and LESS than 6 days have passed since the date and time of their exposure, AND they have not received 2 doses of measles vaccine.
- You are over 18 years of age and less than 6 days have passed since the date and time of your exposure, AND you have not received any doses of measles vaccine (two doses are recommended).
- Note: If you were born before 1970, you are likely immune to measles due to past infection, but if you are unsure, talk to your health care provider about getting vaccinated.
- You work in health care or military or are a post-secondary student and have not received 2 doses of measles vaccine (regardless of year of birth).
- NOTE: If you are pregnant and HAVE received 2 doses of measles vaccine, you can contact your health care provider if you have questions.
By receiving a vaccine soon after an exposure, you can help protect yourself and your child from infection.
Contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts as soon as possible to discuss receiving immune globulin if:
- Your child is less than 6 months of age. Contact Public Health as soon as possible after their exposure and within 6 days.
- Your child is 6 to 12 months of age and MORE than 72 hours but LESS than 6 days have passed since the date and time of their exposure.
- You are immunocompromised and LESS than 6 days have passed since the date and time of your exposure (regardless of your immunization status).
- You are pregnant, have NOT received two doses of measles vaccine, and LESS than 6 days have passed since the date and time of your exposure.
If you or your child are eligible to receive immune globulin, Public Health will coordinate a request with the hospital. Immune globulin can help protect against infection.
Call Public Health at 705.522.9200, ext. 772 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200), Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or after hours and on weekends at 705.688.4366.
Tell your employer about your exposure
If you work in a child care setting, school, post-secondary educational institution, health care setting, long-term care home, or congregate care setting, notify Occupational Health or Infection Control at the facility where you work and follow any workplace requirements and their policies.
A person who is infected with measles can spread the virus one day before their symptoms appear and up to 4 days after the rash appears.
If your child was diagnosed with measles, they must stay home and avoid child care settings, schools, and post-secondary educational institutions until 4 days after their rash appears. Follow these instructions whether your child is fully vaccinated or not.
Public Health is automatically notified when a person tests positive for measles. A public health nurse contacts every person to provide additional directions. Please call Public Health as soon as possible if you have not been contacted.
A person who is infected with measles can spread the virus one day before their symptoms appear and up to 4 days after the rash appears.
Regardless of your vaccination history, if you have measles:
- Stay home and avoid all contact with people who are not immunized.
- Until four days after your rash appears, avoid going to workplaces, sporting events, health care facilities and other group settings, as well as schools and child care centres.
Public Health is automatically notified when a person tests positive for measles. A public health nurse contacts every person to provide additional directions. Please call Public Health as soon as possible if you have not been contacted.