Contagious case of measles reported at Montreal’s airport

Montreal's public health officials have confirmed a new measles case at the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, reported on Friday. The infected child was subsequently hospitalized at Sainte-Justine on Saturday while still infectious. Authorities are urging anyone who may have had contact with the child to watch for symptoms and receive preventive treatment if they are not fully vaccinated.

The most recent Quebec measles outbreak ended in August, after 28 reported cases. As of September 26, federal data indicates 1,121 measles cases have been reported across Canada this year. Canada officially lost its measles-free status in November 2025, following over a year of the same virus strain being transmitted domestically.

This marks the end of measles-free status Canada has maintained since 1998. The Pan American Health Organization withdrew the status after confirming the prolonged domestic transmission. Measles is highly contagious and can result in severe complications such as blindness, brain swelling, pneumonia, or even death. Key symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a rash that begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.