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A confirmed case of the measles at the Edmonton International Airport has prompted a public health alert warning travellers of the risk of potential exposure to the highly contagious infection.
According to the alert, issued by Alberta Health Services last week, the exposure period was during the duration of a Dec. 2 flight which departed from Toronto Pearson Airport at 2:50 p.m., and arrived at the Edmonton International Airport at 7:10 p.m.
Anyone who travelled on the flight, Air Canada Flight 171, may have been exposed to measles and may be at risk of contracting the illness.
A secondary exposure site was also reported at the airport. Anyone who was in the Edmonton International Airport’s baggage claim area on December 2 between 7:10 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. is also at risk, officials said.
Anyone who was in these locations at these times, who was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine or has never had measles, should take added precautions.
People who may have been exposed should self-monitor for symptoms and are strongly encouraged to review their immunization records.
If symptoms do develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call the measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434 before visiting any healthcare facility, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease and the virus spreads easily through the air.
Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes; and a rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, usually beginning behind the ears and on the face before spreading down to the body to the arms and legs.
Complications are sometimes fatal and can include pneumonia, respiratory failure and inflammation of the brain.
The confirmed case at the airport is just the latest in a string of such alerts issued in recent months following a year marked by outbreaks across the country and a wave of new infections in Alberta.
The virus was declared eliminated in Canada in 1998. But vaccination rates have declined in Alberta, and around the country in recent years, fuelling its resurgence.
In Alberta, a total of 1,985 cases have been reported since March 2025, with the highest numbers in the north, south and central health zones of the province.
The vaccine is publicly available in Alberta, free of charge, for those eligible.
For individuals who may have been exposed and have not had their vaccine, it is recommended a dose be given within 72 hours of exposure to prevent infection.
Babies under 1 year of age, people with severely weakened immune systems may be able to receive immunoglobulin within 6 days of exposure to prevent disease.
