Toronto Public Health probing measles case

Municipal public health officials are investigating a lab-confirmed case of measles after an adult who recently travelled abroad arrived at Pearson airport last week.

The individual in question travelled from Kyiv, Ukraine, to Berlin, Germany, then moved on to Reykjavik, Iceland, before subsequently arriving in Toronto on May 30.

The health agency warned that airplane passengers may have been exposed to measles. Affected f l i ghts include Ukraine International Airlines flight PS423, Icelandair flight FI529 and Icelandair flight FI603.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily to those who are susceptible,” a statement from Toronto Public Health read. “Anyone who has not had two doses of a measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV) or who has not had measles in the past is at risk of infection.”

Although the continent was declared “measles-free” in 2016 by the World Health Organization, Canada saw 45 cases of measles last year alone.

Infants under a year old, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can get extremely ill.

Symptoms include high fever, cold-like symptoms, sore eyes or sensitivity to light and a red rash lasting four to seven days.

The agency has advised those who may have been affected to check their immunization records and to watch for symptoms.