Toronto Public Health warns of possible measles exposure at Toronto Pearson Airport

A sign for Toronto Pearson International Airport is pictured in Mississauga, Ont., on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press)

Toronto health officials are warning that travellers at Toronto Pearson Airport Terminal 1 may have been exposed to measles this week.

In a news release on Friday, Toronto Public Health (TPH) announced that it was investigating a measles case involving a person who recently travelled abroad.

TPH said those on Turkish Airlines Flight TK17 from Istanbul to Toronto who arrived at the airport at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday might have been exposed to the highly contagious disease.

Impacted individuals are being advised to monitor for symptoms until Feb. 12.

Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, a red rash that begins on the face and spreads down the body and small blue-white spots that can appear inside the mouth and throat.

“Stay alert for symptoms even if vaccinated against measles. If symptoms develop, contact a health care provider immediately,” TPH said.

Measles is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. The virus can remain in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.

This is the third time in recent months that a possible measles exposure has been reported at the airport. As of Jan. 15, Ontario has 65 reported cases of measles in 2024 and 2025.

In Canada, 147 cases were reported last year. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there have been eight cases of measles so far this year.