Measles

Health officials are advising parents to make sure their children are up-to-date on their measles vaccination, given the ongoing risk in Canada and around the world. All travellers also need to make sure they are up to date on their measles vaccination.

Please contact Healthline 811 for more information.

If you were exposed to measles in a public facility

Check your vaccination record

Note: If you suspect that you or your child have measles, call ahead before visiting your health care provider, urgent care centre or emergency department to avoid risk of transmission.

For Health Care Providers

• Information on measles cases in Canada is available on the Government of Canada page: Measles and Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report – Canada.ca
• Infection Prevention and Control information is available from the IPAC Measles Toolkit page of the Saskatchewan Health Authority website.

Number of Measles Cases in Saskatchewan as of April 23, 2025

About Measles

• Measles is an infection caused by a virus.
• Measles tends to be more severe in adults and very young children. It can affect all ages.

How Measles is Spread

• Measles is highly contagious.
• It is spread easily through the air.
• The virus remains in the air for up to two hours after a person with measles has left the room.
• People can spread the virus to others four days before developing a rash until four days after the rash appears.

Symptoms of Measles

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red eyes
• Blotchy, red rash that appears a few days after the fever starts. In darker skin colours, the redness may be harder to see or may appear purple or darker than surrounding skin. It typically begins behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and to the arms and legs. The rash may last up to seven days.
• Although rare, people who have been immunized against measles can still get it but should have milder symptoms.

Complications of Measles

• Measles can be very serious. It can cause ear infections, pneumonia, brain infections or death.
• It is more serious in very young children and adults.

It is important for anyone who thinks they may have measles to have tests done to confirm the diagnosis. Individuals should call ahead to let their health care provider know they are coming and that they suspect measles.

How Measles is Diagnosed

• Measles is diagnosed though a blood test and can be confirmed through a urine specimen or a throat swab.

How to Treat Measles

• There is no specific treatment.
• Supportive measures to relieve symptoms - fever can be treated with acetaminophen (e.g. TempraTM, TylenolTM).

IMPORTANT: ASA (Aspirin®, acetylsalicylic acid) should NOT be given to anyone under 20 years of age due to the risk of Reye's syndrome (a severe illness related to the use of ASA during viral illness).

How You can Prevent the Spread of Measles

• The single most important way to prevent measles is to be immunized with the measles vaccine.
• Immunization for measles is offered routinely in two doses. They are usually given at 12 months and 18 months of age.
• If measles occurs in a school or daycare, children who are not immunized must be kept at home until they are immunized or for 21 days after the last case of measles.
• Infants and other unimmunized people that have been exposed to measles may be able to receive some protection through immunization. Health care providers should discuss this with the Medical Health Officer.
• Someone with measles must not go to school, daycare or out in public until at least four days after the rash begins.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles. Measles-containing vaccines are provided free of charge for eligible populations in Saskatchewan through your local public health office.

More Information about the Measles Vaccines

• Measles Mumps Rubella
• Measles Mumps Rubella Varicella

Who is eligible for measles vaccine in Saskatchewan?

Age and measles containing vaccine recommendations in Saskatchewan

My child is under one year of age. Should my child get a measles vaccine now?

• No. Wait until your child is 12 months old to get their first measles vaccine as per the routine provincial immunization schedule. However, if you plan to travel with your infant outside of Canada or to specific areas in Canada or the US where there is a current measles outbreak, you should seek advice from your public health office.

My child is under one year of age and we are planning to travel to a country outside of Canada. Should my child get a measles vaccine now?

• Discuss with a Travel Health Centre or seek advice from your public health office. After discussion of the risks and benefits, a measles vaccine may be recommended for an infant who is six months to less than one year of age. Your child will still need to receive two doses of measles vaccine as per the routine provincial immunization schedule.
• Information for international travellers is available on the Health Canada Measles: Symptoms and Treatment page.

I am pregnant. Does measles put my unborn baby at risk?

• Yes, your unborn baby could be at risk if you are not immune to measles. Measles infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. Birth defects are rare, but possible.
• If you are immune to measles, either through having had disease or from vaccination, you will pass on short term measles protection to your baby. This protection will disappear after the first few months of your baby's life.

Why am I assumed to be immune if I was born before 1970?

• Individuals born before 1970 are likely to have been exposed to measles in childhood and are considered to have a natural immunity to it. However, individuals born between 1957-1969 who are travelling outside of Canada should seek advice from their public health office.

Do my childhood measles and rubella vaccinations protect me?

• Individuals born in 1970 or later are considered to be immune if they have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
• The criteria for these doses are:
  • the first dose was provided after the individual's first birthday; and
  • the second dose was provided at least four weeks after the first dose.
• If these criteria have been met, no further vaccinations are required for individuals born in 1970 or later.
• If you do not have a documented record of 2 doses of measles vaccine, please contact your local public health office for advice.

I have not been to the locations indicated in the public advisories during the dates and times mentioned. Should I be concerned about getting measles?

• Your risk for getting measles is low. However, you need to be sure that you and your family members are up-to-date on your immunizations. Contact your public health office as needed.
• In addition, if you do develop signs and symptoms of measles, you should stay at home, not be out in public, and not go to school or work. Call ahead to your physician's office to make arrangements for assessment and testing.

I am not vaccinated against measles and I have been to the locations indicated in the public advisories, during the dates and times mentioned. What should I do?

• If you were born in 1970 or later, contact your public health office to get a measles vaccine as soon as possible.
• If you develop signs and symptoms of measles, you should stay at home, not be out in public, and not go to school or work. Call ahead to your physician's office to make arrangements for assessment and testing.

I am unsure of my measles vaccination status, and I have been to the locations indicated in the public advisories during the dates and times mentioned. What should I do?

• If you were born in 1970 or later, contact your public health office as soon as possible to review if you need a measles vaccine.
  
  Note: Public Health office hours of operation and capacity to provide immediate responses may be limited. Details for each service location can be accessed on the Immunizations - Services and Locations page of the Saskatchewan Health Authority website.

• If you develop signs and symptoms of measles, you should stay at home, not be out in public, and not go to school or work. Call ahead to your physician's office to make arrangements for assessment and testing.

In what circumstances would I need to isolate myself at home?

• All persons with measles are infectious for four days prior to, and four days after the appearance of the rash and are required to self-isolate themselves at home, not be out in public, and not go to school or work during this time period.
• An unvaccinated person who is identified by their public health office as being a close contact of a person with measles may be required to stay at home, not be out in public, and not go to school or work for up to 28 days, depending on the circumstances, to prevent further transmission of measles. The time period for self-isolation depends on the time needed to demonstrate that the close contact has or has not developed symptoms of measles.

In what circumstances would my child be excluded from school or daycare?

• A child infected with measles will be excluded from school or daycare by a health care provider or public health office until four days after the appearance of the rash.
• An unvaccinated child who is identified by the public health office as being a close contact of a person with measles will be excluded from school or daycare for up to 28 days and asked to isolate at home, depending on the circumstances, to prevent further transmission of measles.

How can I get a copy of my child's immunization records?

• Parents and legal guardians can request access to the health information of their children under the age of 14 in MySaskHealthRecord.
• Contact your public health office.
  Note: Public Health office hours of operation and capacity to provide immediate responses may be limited. Details for each service location can be accessed on the Immunizations - Services and Locations page of the Saskatchewan Health Authority website.
• If you and/or your child(ren) have moved to Saskatchewan from another province or country, please request your record from the province or country that you came from.

How can I get a copy of my own immunization record?

• You may be able to access your immunization through MySaskHealthRecord.
• If your record is unavailable on MySaskHealthRecord, contact your public health office.
  Note: Public Health office hours of operation and capacity to provide immediate responses may be limited. Details for each service location can be accessed on the Immunizations - Services and Locations page of the Saskatchewan Health Authority website.

Quick Facts

• Measles is highly contagious.
• Measles can be very serious.
• Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.
• Anyone who thinks they may have measles should see their doctor.