Quebec health officials have issued a public notice after a person with a confirmed case of measles arrived at Montreal-Trudeau Airport last week on a flight from Turkey.
According to a press release issued by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) (MSSS) on Tuesday, the traveller flew in on Turkish Airlines flight TK35, which landed in Montreal at 5:37 p.m. on May 7, 2025.
As a result, people who were on that flight, or who were in the arrivals area, customs, or baggage claim between 5:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. that day, may have been exposed to the virus.
The MSSS considers anyone present in those areas during that time to be a potential contact and is urging them to call Info-Santé 811 as soon as possible, especially if they fall into any of these categories:
- Children under one year old
- People with weakened immune systems
- Pregnant individuals who haven’t been properly vaccinated against measles
Preventive treatment may be available for those at higher risk. Measles is an airborne virus that spreads easily, even from a distance. Quebec saw its last outbreak declared in December 2024 and officially closed in April, but this latest case is a reminder that the virus is still circulating.
According to the World Health Organization, in 2023, there were an estimated 107,500 measles deaths worldwide, primarily among children
People who may have been exposed should look for the following symptoms:
- High fever
- Cough and runny nose
- Red, irritated eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Fatigue and general discomfort
- A red or blotchy skin rash
Though it often clears up on its own, measles can sometimes lead to serious complications like ear infections, pneumonia, or even vision or hearing loss. There is no cure, which makes early intervention and vaccination especially important.
You can find more information on the MSSS website.
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