Two new cases of measles reported in the Laurentians, 24 total in Quebec

A measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is shown on a countertop at a pediatric clinic in Greenbrae, Calif. on Feb. 6, 2015. Measles outbreaks internationally have health officials in British Columbia encouraging people to check their immunization records if they plan to travel abroad during spring break. (Eric Risberg / The Canadian Press) (Eric Risberg/The Canadian Press)

The measles outbreak that started in Quebec last December continues to grow, although the number of cases has not exploded.

In all, there have been 24 cases of measles in the province.

Two new cases in the Laurentians were reported to public health on Feb. 18.

This is the most affected region, with 17 cases, but the Montreal, Laval and Montérégie are also affected.

Measles is considered to be a highly contagious disease as a single case can infect 16 unprotected people.

The main symptoms are high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and general malaise, followed by rashes on the face and body.

Measles can also lead to serious complications, particularly for babies, such as blindness, encephalitis, pneumonia and, in rare cases, death.

At a Santé Québec press briefing on Feb. 14, Quebec Public Health director Dr. Luc Boileau was already reporting an increase in the number of cases in recent weeks.

“We are seriously concerned about the evolution of measles,” he said.

Boileau added that his main concern was that measles was circulating in communities and “entering schools,” as many children were not being vaccinated.

Since there is no cure for measles, the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated, public health says.

According to Quebec’s vaccination schedule, children receive the vaccine at 12 and 18 months, but it can be given free of charge at any age.

If a person is not vaccinated and has been in contact with a case of measles, he or she must isolate at home from the fifth day after exposure up to and including the 14th day.

An individual is not contagious during the first four days following exposure.

For each case of measles reported in Quebec, a public health investigation is carried out to determine the origin of the infection and to identify people at risk of being exposed.

“Our concern is that we’re starting to have cases where we’re having trouble linking them to others. This means that it can circulate a bit in the community,” said Boileau.

Ontario is also experiencing a measles outbreak.

As of Feb. 12, 57 confirmed cases and six probable cases of measles have been reported in the province.

There are no other Canadian provinces with outbreaks, according to the latest data from Canada Public Health.

Although measles has been eliminated in Canada, it remains endemic in other countries and, as a result, imported cases continue to spread the disease.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 24, 2025.