Toronto Public Health warns of measles exposure at three healthcare sites as Canada’s ongoing outbreak continues into 2026. Here’s what to watch for.
Toronto
Measles is back in the headlines, and this time it’s hitting close to home for Toronto residents. Public health officials have flagged potential exposure at three healthcare sites after a travel-related case surfaced in the city. It’s a small local story wrapped inside a much bigger one: Canada’s ongoing struggle to contain a measles outbreak that cost the country its elimination status. Here’s what you need to know if you or your family may have been exposed.
Toronto Public Health issued a warning about potential measles exposure at three healthcare centres in the city following a travel-related case reported at the end of June. People may have been exposed on June 28 at the Scarborough Health Network’s general emergency room, among other locations.
The city has now recorded five confirmed measles cases linked to travel outside Canada this year, and health officials say measles activity is rising in many countries globally, increasing the risk of imported cases.
This isn’t an isolated blip it’s part of a much bigger public health story. Canada lost its measles elimination status in November 2025 after the virus circulated domestically for more than 12 months, following more than 5,000 cases recorded across nine provinces and one territory since October 2024. That’s a significant public health setback for a disease considered essentially eliminated in Canada since 1998.
Anyone who may have been exposed should monitor for symptoms until July 21 and check their vaccination records.
Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, a spreading rash, and Koplik spots inside the mouth.
Hospitalization rates in 2026 have run around 6% of cases, with potential complications including encephalitis.
87% of 2026 measles cases occurred in unvaccinated individuals, underscoring the role of vaccination gaps.
People born in 1970 or later need two doses of the MMR vaccine to be considered protected.
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Experts describe measles as one of the most contagious pathogens known. The virus spreads through the air and can survive in droplets for several hours, meaning a person doesn’t need direct contact to become infected. Vaccination coverage has fallen below the roughly 95% threshold required for herd immunity, largely a legacy of disrupted routine childhood immunizations during and after the pandemic.
Officials in Alberta and B.C. describe a slow, grinding recovery. One health official called the pattern “a reminder that we can make a difference” when vaccination uptake improves, even as vulnerabilities remain in under-immunized pockets of the country.
Toronto Public Health will continue monitoring for secondary cases through the incubation period. Provincial health units across the country are watching for new clusters, and public health messaging is likely to intensify around back-to-school vaccination campaigns later this summer.
How contagious is measles really?
Extremely — it’s considered one of the most transmissible viruses known, spreading through the air and surviving on surfaces for hours.
Am I protected if I was vaccinated as a child?
Most people born after 1970 who received two MMR doses are considered protected, but you can check your records if unsure.
What should I do if I think I was exposed?
Contact your healthcare provider before visiting in person, so they can take precautions to avoid spreading the virus further.
Has Canada’s measles outbreak ended?
No — while transmission has slowed in some regions, the outbreak remains active and Canada has not regained elimination status.
The Toronto exposure alert is a small but telling sign of a larger public health challenge Canada is still working through. With global measles activity rising and vaccination gaps persisting in some communities, staying on top of your immunization status is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and your neighbours.