Urgent: Measles Outbreak in Ottawa – Public Health Investigating Cluster of Cases
Ottawa, ON – November 2, 2025 – Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is actively investigating a cluster of confirmed measles cases affecting five residents within the same family. This breaking news development prompts a public health alert, urging residents to be vigilant and take preventative measures. While the immediate risk to the general public remains low, officials are working to contain the spread and are directly notifying individuals believed to have been exposed.
Potential Exposure Locations & Dates
OPH has identified two locations where individuals may have been exposed to the measles virus. If you visited these locations during the specified times, it’s crucial to monitor for symptoms:
- St. Clement Parish at Saint Anne Church (528, rue Old St. Patrick): Sunday, October 12, between 10:20 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monitoring period until Sunday, November 2.
- St. George’s Parish (415, avenue Piccadilly): Monday, September 29 to Thursday, October 2, daily between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. (noon). Monitoring period until Thursday, October 23.
What You Need to Know About Measles – And What to Do
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection, and even vaccinated individuals should be aware of potential symptoms. It’s a reminder of how quickly infectious diseases can spread, and why maintaining strong community immunity is so vital. This outbreak, while currently contained to a family cluster, underscores the importance of proactive health measures.
Monitor for Symptoms: If you visited the identified locations during the specified times, carefully monitor yourself and your family for symptoms for 21 days from the date of exposure. Symptoms typically appear 7-12 days after exposure, but can take up to 21 days. Look out for:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- White spots inside the mouth
- Red, watery eyes sensitive to light
- A red rash that typically starts on the face and spreads to the body
If you develop symptoms, immediately contact your healthcare provider, informing them of your potential exposure. Wearing a medical-grade mask during your appointment is strongly recommended to protect others. Postpone any non-urgent medical appointments if possible.
Don’t have a doctor? Contact Santé811 at 8-1-1 for free, confidential health advice, available 24/7 in English and French, with translation services available for other languages.
Vaccination: Your Best Defense
Measles is preventable with vaccination. Checking your vaccination record is a crucial step in ensuring your protection. The measles vaccine is often listed as “MMR,” “MMRV,” or “M” on your record.
Most children in Ontario receive two doses of the measles vaccine – one at 12 months and another between four and six years of age. Individuals born before 1970 are generally considered immune due to likely prior exposure. Those born in 1970 or later need two doses of the vaccine for full protection.
Unsure of your vaccination status? Consult your healthcare professional or visit SantePubliqueOttawa.ca/Rougeole to learn about vaccination options.
Understanding the Threat: Measles and How it Spreads
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection spread through the air via breathing, coughing, or sneezing. The virus can survive on surfaces and in the air for up to two hours, making it easily transmissible. This is why vaccination and prompt action upon exposure are so critical. The current outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect vulnerable populations, including infants too young to be vaccinated and individuals with compromised immune systems.
OPH is continuing its investigation, and additional exposure locations, dates, and times may be identified. Stay informed by visiting OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Rougeole and following OPH on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky). Protecting yourself and your community requires staying informed and taking proactive steps. For more in-depth information on measles and vaccination, explore resources from Public Health Ontario: PHO resource entitled “Who should get vaccinated against measles?”.
This situation highlights the ongoing need for vigilance regarding infectious diseases. Staying informed, understanding your vaccination status, and promptly seeking medical attention if symptoms develop are key to safeguarding public health in Ottawa and beyond. Archyde.com will continue to provide updates on this developing story as they become available.
