Measles exposures

Measles Cells

For more information, visit our measles page.

If you shared a room or airspace with someone who has measles for any length of time (and for up to two hours after the person left the space):

  • Check vaccination records to ensure protection from measles.
    • Immunity requires two doses of a measles vaccine or proof of immunity through a laboratory test. If you are unsure of your vaccination status:
      • Check your record (please note that public health may not have records for anyone born in 1985 or earlier).
      • Call your health-care provider.
      • Call your closest Southeast Public Health’s office:
    • Most individuals born before 1970 are generally presumed to have acquired immunity due to infection in their childhood, as high levels of measles were circulating before 1970.
  • If you are not vaccinated or have had only one dose of measles vaccine you should monitor for symptoms, isolate at home for 21 days following your exposure and seek vaccination through Southeast Public Health or primary care clinics.
    • Call before visiting a health-care setting and notify them of your recent measles exposure. This helps protect others and allows health-care providers to prepare for your visit.
    • Monitor for symptoms until 21 DAYS following your exposure date (even if you are vaccinated). Symptoms of measles start seven to 21 days after exposure and may include:
      • high fever, cough, runny nose
      • red, watery eyes (pink eye or conjunctivitis)
      • red blotchy rash
  • If you develop symptoms, stay home and do not go to work, school, daycare and public settings. Call your health-care provider before visiting to let them know you may have measles and need special precautions. You may also call your closest Southeast Public Health office:
  • Please contact Southeast Public Health immediately if you fall into any of the following categories:
    • Were with an infant under 12 months of age during exposure.
    • Are pregnant and unvaccinated or unsure of your immunity to measles.
    • Are immunocompromised.

You may be eligible for preventive treatment. Call Southeast Public Health:

Prevention

The best protection against measles is vaccination with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, which are almost 100 percent effective at preventing infection.

Book a measles vaccine appointment
  • Two doses of measles vaccine are given to children  after their first birthday. Measles vaccine is given in combination with other vaccines.
    • The first dose is MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, given at 12 months of age.
    • The second dose is MMVR (measles, mumps, rubella, varicella) vaccine, given between four to six years of age, preferably before school entry.
  • Some adults may have received only one dose of measles vaccine. A second dose of MMR vaccine is recommended for anyone born in 1970 or later.
  • Workers in healthcare, childcare, school, or post-secondary and military settings are strongly encouraged to have two doses of measles-containing vaccine or evidence of immunity.

Measles vaccine should not be given to pregnant women. Individuals with weakened immune systems are recommended to consult their health care provider as they may not be able to receive measles-containing vaccines.

Frequently asked questions

If you shared a room or airspace with someone who has measles for any length of time (and for up to two hours after the person left the space):

  • Check vaccination records to ensure protection from measles.
    • Immunity requires two doses of a measles vaccine or proof of immunity through a laboratory test. If you are unsure of your vaccination status:
      • Check your record (please note that public health may not have records for anyone born in 1985 or earlier).
      • Call your health-care provider.
      • Call your closest Southeast Public Health’s office:
    • Most individuals born before 1970 are generally presumed to have acquired immunity due to infection in their childhood, as high levels of measles were circulating before 1970.
  • If you are not vaccinated or have had only one dose of measles vaccine you should monitor for symptoms, isolate at home for 21 days following your exposure and seek vaccination through Southeast Public Health or primary care clinics.
    • Call before visiting a health-care setting and notify them of your recent measles exposure. This helps protect others and allows health-care providers to prepare for your visit.
    • Monitor for symptoms until 21 DAYS following your exposure date (even if you are vaccinated). Symptoms of measles start seven to 21 days after exposure and may include:
      • high fever, cough, runny nose
      • red, watery eyes (pink eye or conjunctivitis)
      • red blotchy rash
  • If you develop symptoms, stay home and do not go to work, school, daycare and public settings. Call your health-care provider before visiting to let them know you may have measles and need special precautions. You may also call your closest Southeast Public Health office:
  • Please contact Southeast Public Health immediately if you fall into any of the following categories:
    • Were with an infant under 12 months of age during exposure.
    • Are pregnant and unvaccinated or unsure of your immunity to measles.
    • Are immunocompromised.

You may be eligible for preventive treatment. Call Southeast Public Health:

  • Stay home. Don’t allow others to visit for at least four days after the rash starts.
  • Call your closest Southeast Public Health office:
  • Contact your health-care provider by phone. If you need to visit a health-care provider, call before you arrive. Tell the health care provider about your measles symptoms so other patients can be protected. Put on a mask before you enter.
  • If your health-care provider suspects you have measles, they should notify Southeast Public Health.

There is no treatment for measles. Supportive measures can help to relieve symptoms.

Measles is a very contagious viral infection that can cause serious disease. Over 90 percent of people who are not immune will become infected if they are exposed to the virus.

Measles can result in complications including ear infections, pneumonia, deafness, and brain damage. Rarely, death can occur.

Children less than five years of age, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications from measles.

Measles is a virus that spreads easily through the air. It is passed in tiny droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or breathes. It can survive in the air for up to two hours.

A person with measles can spread the infection to others four days before to four days after the rash starts.

The first symptoms of measles are:

  • fever, runny nose, and cough.
  • eyes that are red, runny, and sensitive to light.

Three to seven Four days later, a red, blotchy rash appears. The rash begins on the face, spreads over the body and then down the arms and legs.

Symptoms usually appear around 10 days after a person has been exposed to the virus but can start anywhere from seven to 21 days. The rash usually develops 14 days after exposure.

A health-care provider may suspect measles based on your symptoms. They may ask you about any contact or exposures to measles and may ask if you are immune to measles (through vaccination or previous infection). If your health-care provider suspects measles, they will collect samples for testing which can include:

  • a swab from your nose or throat
  • a urine test
  • a blood test

Any tests that show the measles virus are automatically reported to Public Health.

There are no specific treatments for measles infections. Your health-care provider may recommend medications to help you feel more comfortable, encourage you to drink plenty of fluids and rest. If your symptoms worsen, you may need to seek urgent medical care.

People with measles are contagious starting four days before their rash starts and stay contagious until four days after their rash starts. People with measles should self-isolate from all public places and avoid contact with others while they are contagious.