Possible Measles Exposure at Vancouver, Toronto, and Fredericton Airports Triggers Health Warning

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has issued a warning about a potential measles exposure at three Canadian airports—Vancouver, Toronto, and Fredericton—on Oct. 16-17, after a passenger traveling from Manila later tested positive for the disease.

According to the BCCDC, the individual with measles arrived at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m. PT, on Philippine Airlines flight PR16 from Manila. Passengers on the same flight or anyone present in Terminal M around 6 p.m. PT and near Gate B17 at 10:30 p.m. may have been exposed. The traveler did not visit any airport shops or restaurants.

Following their stop in Vancouver, the infected passenger took WestJet WS724/Philippine Airlines PR3032 from Vancouver 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. Later that day, they boarded a flight to Fredericton International Airport, arriving at around 2 p.m. ET.

The traveler was subsequently diagnosed with measles in New Brunswick, prompting local health officials to issue their own advisory.

Measles, a highly contagious disease transmitted through airborne particles, primarily affects individuals who have not been vaccinated. The BCCDC advises that most people are immune, either through immunization or natural infection, especially those born before 1970. However, those who have not received the vaccine or children under one year of age are at increased risk.

Individuals exposed to measles at YVR could begin showing symptoms—such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and rash—between Oct. 23 and Nov. 6. The BCCDC urges anyone experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention promptly.