Measles case detected on Montreal-bound flight from Pakistan

Travellers get ready to board at YUL Montreal International Airport. (Pedro Querido / CTV News)

Quebec public health authorities say a person with measles was on a flight from Pakistan that arrived in Montreal last weekend.

Those who were on flight EK243 and at the luggage claim section of Montreal’s Trudeau airport between 7:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on March 2 could have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.

Anyone exposed who is not vaccinated against measles is urged to isolate and monitor their symptoms until March 23. Those could include a fever, runny nose, conjunctivitis and cough.

The contagious period typically begins four days after first exposure and public health recommends isolating for 10 days.

A complete list of measles outbreak sites and instructions for contact cases is available on the Quebec government’s website.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles. Health experts have said that wearing a medical mask is not sufficient to prevent the spread of the respiratory illness. Appointments can be made on the Clic Santé website or by calling 1-877-644-4545.

Those who are vaccinated are considered to be protected.

The measles vaccine is usually given to children at age 12 months, with a second dose at 18 months or before school entry.

Parents of babies under a year old, those with weakened immune systems and unvaccinated pregnant people who were exposed to measles are urged to call 811 as they are more vulnerable to severe illness.

• Read more: Measles in Montreal: Case reported at Rialto Theatre

As of Friday, there are 31 confirmed measles cases in the province. Most are in the Laurentians, at 24; Montreal, Laval and the Montérégie have all reported fewer than five cases to date.