Toronto Public Health (TPH) has issued a warning to residents regarding potential exposure to the highly contagious measles virus. This advisory follows the investigation of a confirmed travel-related case of measles, prompting public health officials to alert the community about several locations in the city’s west-end where exposure may have occurred.

Officials have identified specific venues and times where individuals might have been exposed to the virus. On Thursday, May 7, potential exposure was reported at:

• Lebanon Express, located at 327 Roncesvalles Ave., between 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Fantail Café, at 333 Roncesvalles Ave., from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

On Friday, May 8, the following locations were noted as potential exposure sites:

• Henderson’s Brewery, at 128A Sterling Rd., from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Annette Community Recreation Centre Gym, located at 333 Annette St., from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Then, on Monday, May 11, exposure may have occurred at:

• Islington Medical Pharmacy, at 1243 Islington Ave., between 12:15 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Public health experts emphasize that the measles virus can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Consequently, people may contract the virus by inhaling contaminated air or touching an infected surface, followed by contact with their eyes, nose, or mouth.

In light of these potential exposures, TPH advises anyone who might have visited the locations on the specified dates to review their vaccination history for measles immunity. They should monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days after the exposure date.

Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease. The recommended vaccination schedule includes the first dose at 12 months of age, followed by a second dose between four to six years of age. Individuals who have not received two doses of the measles vaccine or those who have never had the measles are at an increased risk of contracting the virus.

The following symptom monitoring periods have been established:

• For exposures on Thursday, May 7, individuals should monitor for symptoms until Thursday, May 28.
• For exposures on Friday, May 8, the monitoring period lasts until Friday, May 29.
• For exposures on Monday, May 11, monitoring should continue until Monday, June 1.

Common symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, a rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward, and small bluish-white spots (known as Koplik spots) that may appear in the mouth and throat. It is critical for individuals born in 1970 or later to receive two doses of the measles vaccine for optimal protection, particularly if they have not had the virus in the past. Those born before 1970 may already have been exposed to measles when it was more prevalent in Canada.

For additional information on this public health warning and measures to protect against measles, residents can refer to TPH's official communications.