York Region Public Health warns of measles exposure linked to flight from South Korea

As Ontario faces a rise in measles cases, York Region Public Health (YRPH) has issued a warning about a confirmed exposure to the virus linked to an international flight from South Korea on Saturday.

In a news release Friday, the public health agency said anyone present at one of three locations during certain times over the past week may have been exposed to the virus:

• Korean Air: Flight KE 073, which departed from Seoul, South Korea at 10:28 a.m. local time on Saturday, Feb. 22, and arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport at 9:35 a.m.
• Terminal 3 of Toronto Pearson International Airport between 9:35 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Feb. 22
• Southlake Health, located at 596 Davis Drive in Newmarket, Ont., in the emergency department Monday between 10:45 a.m. and 9 p.m., or in the pediatric unit on Tuesday between 8:25 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The health agency said anyone who was in those locations at those times who is either pregnant, under 12 months of age or has a weakened immune system should contact York Region Public Health by phone immediately.

People in these categories are at an increased risk of severe complications, York Region Public Health said, including inflammation of the brain and death.

Anyone outside those categories is advised to confirm they are up to date on immunizations and watch for symptoms. If you develop symptoms, the health agency advises that you stay home and call a health-care professional.

York Region Public Health said it is following up directly with anyone who was at Southlake's emergency department or pediatric unit during the times listed.

WATCH | Measles on the rise in Canada: 

Once declared eradicated, measles is surging in parts of Canada

5 days ago

Duration 2:05

Measles was declared eradicated in Canada in 1998, but with vaccination rates dropping, new cases are surging; 95 people have been infected in just the first two months of this year, compared to 147 for all of 2024.

Measles is a highly viral infection that spreads through airborne transmission. Symptoms start seven to 21 days after exposure, York Region Public Health said, and include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and/or watery eyes and a red rash.

There have already been nearly 100 measles cases reported in Canada this year, compared with 147 cases in all of 2024, according to Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam.

Public health officials said Thursday that Ontario identified 78 new measles cases over the course of two weeks, calling it the largest outbreak the province has seen in almost 30 years.