Measles has been confirmed on a plane that landed in Montreal

Quebec's Ministry of Health and public health authorities have confirmed that a person with measles was on board a plane that landed in Montreal from Turkey on April 3.

The man was aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK35, which landed at Pierre-Elio-Trudeau airport at 6 p.m.

Authorities said people on the flight may have contracted measles. Travelers or employees who were in the arrivals and baggage area of ​​the airport between 6:00 PM and 12:30 AM may also have been affected.

The Quebec Public Health Organization considers them to be measles-related cases.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the respiratory tract, especially through the air. A single case can infect 16 unprotected people.

The best way to protect yourself is to get the measles vaccine. According to the Quebec vaccination schedule, children receive the vaccine between 12 and 18 months of age.

Recently, however, low vaccination rates in schools have become a cause for public health concern, as Quebec is currently experiencing a measles outbreak.

As of April 10, there have been 43 confirmed cases of measles since the beginning of 2024, mostly in the Montreal area.

Vaccinated people have a very low chance of contracting the disease, but as a precaution, authorities recommend monitoring for symptoms in the days following exposure.

For those flying on Turkish Airlines flight TK35, public health is asking passengers and staff to monitor their symptoms until April 24.

The first symptoms of measles are fever, nasal congestion with runny nose, cough, conjunctivitis (red eyes), and eyes that are sensitive to light. Later, rashes appear on the face and body.

If you have not been vaccinated and come into contact with measles, you must isolate yourself at home from the fifth day to the 14th day after exposure. A person is not contagious during the first four days after entering the body.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on April 11, 2024.

Canadian Press health content is funded through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is responsible for editorial choices.