Measles was confirmed on a plane that landed in Montreal on April 3

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A person with measles was aboard a plane that landed in Montreal from Turkey on April 3, Quebec's health ministry said Thursday.

The man was aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK35, which landed at Trudeau Airport at 6 p.m.

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Health authorities said people on the flight may have contracted measles.

Travelers or staff at the airport between 6:00 PM and 12:30 PM may also be affected at arrivals and baggage claim.

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Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the respiratory tract, often 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 at 12 and 18 months.

Declining school vaccination rates have Quebec health officials worried.

As of April 10, 2024, there were 43 confirmed cases of measles in Quebec, mostly in the Montreal area.

A vaccinated person has a very low chance of contracting the disease, but as a precaution, authorities recommend monitoring for symptoms in the days following exposure.

People who were on Turkish Airlines flight TK35 should monitor for symptoms until April 24, health officials said.

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

If a person has not been vaccinated and has been in contact with measles, they should be isolated at home from day five to day 14 after exposure. A person is not contagious during the first four days after entering the body.

For more information, see the Quebec government's beet page.

Presse Canadienne's health content is funded through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. La Presse Canadienne is responsible for editorial choices.

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