Possible measles exposure at airports in Vancouver, Toronto and Fredericton prompts warning

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has warned of a possible measles exposure at airports in Vancouver, Toronto and Fredericton on Oct. 16.

According to the notice, a passenger with a confirmed case of measles arrived in Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Philippine Airlines flight PR16 from Manila at 5:30 p.m. PT that day. 

The BCCDC said passengers who were on the same flight or who were in YVR at the same time may have been exposed, particularly those who were in Terminal M around 6 p.m. PT on Oct. 16 and Gate B17 at 10:30 p.m.

The passenger did not visit any restaurants or stores at the airport, the health agency said.

From Vancouver, the passenger took WestJet WS724/Philippine Airlines PR3032 to Toronto, departing at 10:35 p.m. PT and arriving at Toronto Pearson International Airport at 6:09 a.m. ET on Oct. 17.

They then flew from there to Fredericton International Airport around 2 p.m. ET on Oct. 17.

The traveller later tested positive for measles in New Brunswick and a local health advisory has been issued in that province.

"Measles is highly infectious and transmitted by airborne spread but most people are immune to it thanks to immunization or natural infection," the BCCDC's notice says, adding that people born before 1970 or those who had measles as a child are also immune.

People who have not been vaccinated, including children under the age of one, are at highest risk.

The BCCDC says if someone contracted measles at YVR, symptoms could have started as early as Oct. 23 and as late as Nov. 6.

Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes and rash.