Anyone who rode certain York Region Transit buses through Markham in the last week of February may have been exposed to measles, York Region Public Health said on March 3.

The health unit said a newly confirmed case, who caught measles outside Canada, was in York Region while contagious. It listed six public exposures: five on YRT routes that serve Markham and Richmond Hill, and one at a Vaughan hospital emergency department.

Where and when

  • Route 16 – 16th Avenue, Monday, Feb. 23, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Watch for symptoms until March 16.

  • Route 25 – Major Mackenzie, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Watch for symptoms until March 17.

  • Route 16 – 16th Avenue, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Watch for symptoms until March 18.

  • Route 16 – 16th Avenue, Thursday, Feb. 26, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Watch for symptoms until March 19.

  • Route 90B – Leslie, which also serves Toronto, Friday, Feb. 27, 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Watch for symptoms until March 20.

  • Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital emergency department, 3200 Major Mackenzie Dr. W., Saturday, Feb. 28, 3 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. Watch for symptoms until March 21.

The bus exposures cover long stretches of the day, and the health unit did not say which stops or individual trips were involved. Each watch date is 21 days after the exposure.

What to do if you were there

Public Health asked anyone who may have been exposed to make sure they and their family have had two doses of measles vaccine, either MMR or MMRV. People born before 1970 likely had measles as children and are considered protected.

Anyone who was on one of the buses or at the hospital with a baby under 12 months old, or who has a weakened immune system, may be eligible for preventive treatment and should call York Region Public Health right away at 1-877-464-9675, ext. 77280. The Region also asked people who were present to fill out a short contact follow-up survey at york.ca/MeaslesReporting so staff can identify those at greatest risk.

Anyone who develops symptoms should stay home from work or school and call a health care provider before going in, so the clinic can take precautions.

Know the symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 7 to 21 days after exposure, the health unit said. They can include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A red rash that is usually not itchy tends to follow three to seven days later, starting on the head and neck and moving down to the chest, arms and legs.

Measles spreads through the air very easily, and the virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours. Babies under a year old, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system face a higher risk of serious complications, including brain inflammation and death.

The Region noted that measles is still circulating in Canada and around the world, and urged residents planning a trip to check that their vaccinations are up to date. The MMR vaccine is free. More information is at york.ca/Measles.