Information About the Measles
What is Measles?
Measles is a serious respiratory infection that is highly contagious. Anyone who is not vaccinated or has not had a measles infection is at risk for getting sick with measles.
How Does it Spread?
The measles virus is present in the nose and throat of an infected person and spreads easily through contact with droplets from coughing, sneezing, or breathing. The virus can enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. If you touch an infected surface, and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you can transmit the virus to yourself.
An infected person can spread measles from four days before the rash appears to four days after. The virus can also remain in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
What are the Symptoms of Measles?
Symptoms can appear approximately 10 days after exposure, but can start anywhere from 7 to 21 days after exposure. Symptoms generally last for one to two weeks.
Symptoms include:
- fever
- red rash starts on the face and spreads down the body
- runny nose
- cough
- red and watery eyes
- feeling tired
- small white spots (Koplik spots) can appear on the inside of the mouth and throat
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself against measles. Individuals travelling outside of Canada should ensure they are adequately protected through vaccination prior to travelling.
In Ontario, measles has been rare, owing to the successful elimination of measles in Canada due to high immunization coverage. As a result, measles cases are usually associated with travel (often referred to as “measles importations”). Due to an increase in measles activity globally, Ontario has begun to see more cases of measles. As of March 19 2024 – There are nine confirmed cases in Ontario, with two cases in Toronto and one case in York region. A detailed breakdown can be found on Public Health Ontario.
What To Do If You Think You Have Measles
If you think you have Measles, it is important to:
- Stay home and inform your Manager/Supervisor or the office, if you are symptomatic or unwell.
- Isolate immediately by staying home and avoiding contact with others.
- Contact your family physician.
Circle of Care requires all employees that provide direct client care to be immune to measles (rubeola), German measles (rubella), before beginning employment.
Prevention & Control
- Actively Screen all Clients For Acute Infectious Disease (AID), and wear 4-point PPE if client screens positive
- Be on alert for symptoms of measles in clients, particularly if they have recently returned from international travel. Initial symptoms of measles can include fever, red watery eyes, runny nose and cough, followed by a red rash that starts on the face and then moves to the rest of the body.
- Protect your family by ensuring everyone is vaccinated. Routine vaccination for children and adolescents is very effective at preventing measles. One dose of measles-containing vaccine is recommended at 12 months of age and the second dose is given at 18 months or 4 to 6 years of age.
- Please refer to table below for appropriate PPE for Measles.
Resources
Measles. Public Health Ontario. (n.d.). https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/Diseases-and-Conditions/Infectious-Diseases/Vaccine-Preventable-Diseases/Measles#:~:text=Due%20to%20an%20increase%20in,public%20health%20unit%20right%20away.
City of Toronto. (2024, March 13). Measles. https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/diseases-medications-vaccines/measles-fact-sheet/?accordion=seeking-medical-care-when-to-isolate
City of Toronto. (2024a, February 15). Measles information for health professionals. https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/information-for-healthcare-professionals/communicable-disease-info-for-health-professionals/measles-info-for-health-professionals/
Public Health Ontario. (n.d.). https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/Documents/M/24/measles-ontario-epi-summary.pdf?rev=884ef4c8caa04e0593066c5a04fca63a&la=fr
Canada, P. H. A. of. (2024, February 27). Government of Canada. Measles: For health professionals – Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/measles/health-professionals-measles.html