Measles Exposure Alert
Ottawa Public Health alerting residents of measles exposure locations
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is investigating the City’s fifth confirmed case of measles in 2025. The individual is believed to have acquired measles while travelling in Western Canada. OPH is notifying individuals directly who may have been exposed to the confirmed case of measles where information is available. This public service announcement is for those who we are unable to reach directly or for whom no contact information is available. At this time, the risk to the general population remains low. There is currently no evidence of local transmission of measles in Ottawa.
Individuals who visited the following locations in Ottawa, on the dates and times below, may have been exposed to the measles virus and are asked to monitor for symptoms for 21 days:
Shoppers Drug Mart at 702 Bank Street
When: August 5 between 9 and 11:20 pm (monitor until August 26)
Michaels at 165 Trainyards Drive
When: August 5 between 8:15 and 10:30 pm (monitor until August 26)
Fitness Lab at 34 Beech Street
When: August 6 between 5:45 and 8:45 am (monitor until August 27)
Wilf and Ada’s at 510 Bank Street
When: August 7 between 12:30 and 4 pm (monitor until August 28)
Izakaya Shingen at 201 Bank Street
When: August 8 between 5 to 8 pm (monitor until August 29)
Cineplex Odeon (Fantastic 4 - 6:50 pm showtime) at 2385 City Park Drive
When: August 8, between 6:35 and 10:50 pm (monitor until August 29)
Individuals who attended the above locations during the specified times may have been exposed to the measles virus and are asked to:
1- Monitor for symptoms for 21 days from your date of exposure, even if you are vaccinated:
Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, white spots in the mouth, and red watery eyes that may be sensitive to light.
Symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure but usually occur within seven to 12 days.
A few days after symptoms begin, a red rash usually develops that starts on the face and spreads down the body to the arms and legs. This rash usually lasts four to seven days. Symptoms generally last from one to two weeks.
If you develop symptoms, call your health care provider and notify them of your recent measles exposure. This will help to protect others and allow health care providers to prepare for your visit. If possible, wear a medical grade mask to the appointment. This applies to any medical facility, including your local emergency department.
If you do not have a health care provider, please visit Health811 or call 8-1-1 to connect with a registered nurse for free, secure and confidential health advice. Service is available 24/7 and available in English and French, with translation support also offered in other languages.
2- Check your vaccination records for measles-containing vaccines and ensure you are protected:
Measles is a vaccine preventable disease. The measles vaccine is typically noted as “MMR”, “MMRV” or “M” on records.
Most children in Ontario receive two doses of measles vaccine by age seven based on the current routine vaccine schedule: one at 12 months of age, and another between four to six years of age.
People born before 1970 likely had measles in the past and are generally considered immune (protected).
People born in, or after 1970, are considered fully protected from a known exposure to measles if they have had two doses of measles vaccine.
Check with your health care provider if you are unsure about your vaccination status.
Visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Measles to learn more about where to access measles-containing and other vaccines.
Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory infection caused by the measles virus. The measles virus lives in the nose and throat of a person who is infected and can be spread through the air (from breathing, coughing or sneezing); and can survive in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. The most effective way to protect yourself against measles is to ensure you and your family are vaccinated against the virus. You can learn more about routine measles vaccination in OPH’s Who needs a measles vaccine? resource (PDF) available in English, French, Arabic, Simplified Chinese and Somali.
Please note that this investigation is ongoing; new locations, dates and times may be added, modified or removed as the investigation continues. Ongoing updates will be posted at OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Measles.
Residents can also connect with OPH on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and YouTube.
For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky and Instagram.