Toronto Public Health (TPH) is investigating a case of measles and potential public exposure at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Passengers on Air Canada Flight AC002 from Tokyo to Toronto on March 2 may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus, per the public health agency. Those who passed through Terminal 1 between 4:50 and 7:40 p.m. that day could also be at risk.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks. It can linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours, TPH said.
Infection can occur when people breath contaminated air, or touch their eyes, nose or mouth after making contact with an infected surface.
A measles outbreak was declared in a small northern community in Alberta this week. South of the border, an outbreak that began in Texas has spread to two other states.
TPH also warned of a potential airport measles exposure in January after a Turkish Airlines flight arrived from Istanbul.
TPH advises anyone who may have been exposed to immediately check their measles vaccination records and to monitor for symptoms until March 23.
Potential symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and a red rash that begins on the face and spreads down the body, as well as small blue white spots that can appear inside the mouth and throat.
If symptoms develop, a health-care provider should be contacted immediately.
Potentially infected people should call ahead before visiting a hospital or clinic to allow preparation to prevent any spread of measles, TPH said, and a well-fitting medical grade mask should be worn to any appointment.
