A single case of the infectious measles virus has been reported in the Kenora area, prompting the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) to warn anyone who might have come into contact with the individual to take precautions.
The person diagnosed with the disease, who was not named to protect their privacy, is following appropriate public health measures, according to the NWHU, which urged residents to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease.
“Measles is a highly contagious virus that can lead to serious complications,” the NWHU said Monday in a press release. “The virus can live in the air for up to two hours, even after the person with measles has left the area. A person with measles is contagious four days before and four days after the rash appears.”
The NWHU said only those who are not immune and may have been at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital emergency room on Dec. 22 between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., the Kenora Library on Dec. 23 between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. or again at the Lake of the Woods Hospital emergency room between 3 p.m. on Dec 26 and 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 27 are at risk from contact with the infected individual.
Those born before Jan. 1, 1970, have had two doses of measles vaccine (MMR) or have lab confirmation of immunity, are considered immune and should not contact health authorities for an urgent vaccination.
Anyone present at those locations at those times who is not immune should call their local NWHU unit.
Measles is spread through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The first symptoms of measles are a fever, a runny nose, sneezing, a cough and red, sore, watery eyes. Some people may also get small spots in their mouth. A rash usually appears after two to three days and starts on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
Ontario experienced an unusually large surge in measles in 2025, with just over 140 cases reported by late February – nearly double the province’s total from the entire previous decade. Public Health Ontario noted that most infections were still linked to travel, but increased global circulation in 2024 led to more frequent local transmission.
Across Canada, measles activity was far higher than normal. By epidemiological week 50 of 2025, the country had recorded 5,353 cases, including 4,978 confirmed and 375 probables, with new cases still appearing in December.
The NWHU provided detailed information explaining what to do for those who believe they have been exposed and are not protected:
- School/childcare/healthcare students and workers: Stay home and contact your local public health unit or workplace occupational health.
- No MMR doses: Stay home and call NWHU for direction.
- One MMR dose: Contact your healthcare provider or public health to receive a second dose. Notify them before arriving so precautions can be taken. (If you don’t work in healthcare, you may return to regular activities after receiving the second dose.)
High‑risk individuals (or those caring for them) should contact your healthcare provider or NWHU promptly to discuss vaccination or immunoglobulin. This includes:
- Babies under 1 year.
- People with severely weakened immune systems.
- Pregnant individuals who are not immune.
Those who are unsure of their vaccination status should contact a healthcare provider or the NWHU to check their records. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed and are not immune can watch for common measles symptoms for 21 days after exposure including fever, runny or blocked nose, sneezing, cough, red and watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a rash starting on the face and spreading downward.
“If you need medical care: Call ahead before visiting any clinic or hospital so they can prepare. Wear a mask,” the NWHU said. “If you don’t need medical care: Call your local public health unit for guidance. If you think you have measles: Isolate immediately and contact your healthcare provider to discuss testing.”
More information about measles and the measles vaccine can be found on the NWHU website at www. nwhu.on.ca.
