Measles
View all recent known measles exposures and timelines below, as well as a risk assessment tool to help you determine what actions to take if you were exposed. Always call ahead before seeking a medical assessment by a healthcare provider if your measles symptoms cannot be managed at home.
About Measles
Measles is a highly contagious, but vaccine-preventable virus that lives in the nose and throat of an infected person. It spreads very easily when infected people breathe, talk, cough, or sneeze. The measles virus can stay in the air and live on surfaces for up to two (2) hours and can cause serious illness, especially for at risk populations, including infants, pregnant people, and the immunocompromised. Complications can include ear infections, diarrhea, hearing loss, pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), seizures, and in rare cases, death. There is no treatment for measles other than supportive care.
The best protection against measles is a full measles vaccine series for anyone born after 1970.
Check or update your immunization record to make sure you and your family are up-to-date with vaccinations.
Measles Exposures
If you were present at the below locations during the timelines shown, you may have been exposed to measles.
Anyone who may have been exposed at the above locations should follow these steps:
(1) Contact LPH at 519-383-8331 if you fall into one of the following categories.
- People with a severely weakened immune system;
- Pregnant individuals who are not protected against measles; and
- Anyone (child or adult) born in or after 1970 who is unvaccinated or has only received one dose of measles vaccine.
(2) Self-monitor for Symptoms – If you think you have been exposed to measles but don’t fit into one of the categories above.
Learn more about What You Can Do.
Ontario and Measles
There are currently measles outbreaks in parts of Ontario, including areas of concern in the Southwestern Public Health, Grand Erie Public Health, and Huron Perth Public Health Regions. Public Health Ontario has updated its Ontario exposure sites list and has instructions on what to do if you are exposed, which can be found at the bottom of their website.
For more information on measles, see:
Lambton Public Health and Measles
Lambton Public Health (LPH) works closely with community partners, including Bluewater Health and health care providers, to help keep our community protected from measles. We regularly communicate with our partners to ensure we are prepared to respond in the event of measles cases.
To help protect against vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, LPH does:
- Case, Contact, and Outbreak Management
- Immunization Clinics
- Population Health Assessment and Surveillance
April 3, 2025 – Lambton County Council received an update on measles activity in our community. Watch the recording of Lambton County Council’s open session for more information.
What Can You Do?
Self-monitor for Symptoms
If you think you have been exposed to measles, use the online Measles Exposure Self-Assessment Tool.
If you think you have been around someone with measles or are showing symptoms, self-isolate at home to avoid spreading measles and call your health care provider right away to let them know. If you do not have a health care provider, or they are not available, call us at 519-383-8331 for advice.
If you are experiencing severe symptoms, it is important to call ahead to let any health care setting (doctor’s office, emergency department, walk-in clinic) know about your symptoms before you visit so they can take the appropriate precautions to protect you and others.
Check Your Immunity
Many people are protected from measles through vaccination. The Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine or the Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella (MMRV) vaccine are given as part of routine childhood immunization. The routine MMR Vaccine Schedule is:
- First Dose: Given at 12 – 15 months of age
- Second Dose: Given at 4 – 6 years of age, but no later than school entry.
Two doses of measles-containing vaccine provide lifelong immunity for most people, and those born before 1970 are considered immune. If you’re unsure about your immunity, check your immunization status by:
- Contacting your health care provider: They can review your records and confirm which vaccines you have received
- Checking online: If you live in Lambton County, you can view your immunization records through the ICON (Immunization Connect Ontario) portal at https://lph.icon.ehealthontario.ca/#!/welcome
- Note: To use ICON you will need an Ontario Health Card number or an Ontario Immunization ID number. Only records reported to Lambton Public Health will be available in ICON.
Get Vaccinated
If you or your children require a measles-containing vaccine, call your health care provider to book an appointment. If you do not have a health care provider, or they are not available, call our Vaccine Call Centre at 226-254-8222 to book an appointment with LPH.
To learn more about immunizations in Lambton County, visit https://lambtonpublichealth.ca/immunization/