Tejal Somvanshi
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has confirmed the city’s fifth case of measles in 2025, linked to travel in western Canada. Health officials are warning anyone who visited six specific locations in Ottawa between August 5-8 that they may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.
“At this time, the risk to the general population remains low,” OPH stated in their announcement. “There is currently no evidence of local transmission of measles in Ottawa.”
The infected individual likely contracted measles while traveling in western Canada, where several provinces are experiencing ongoing outbreaks. OPH has identified six locations where people may have been exposed:
- Shoppers Drug Mart at 702 Bank St. on August 5 between 9 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
- Michaels at 165 Trainyards Dr. on August 5 between 8:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- Fitness Lab at 34 Beech St. on August 6 between 5:45 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.
- Wilf and Ada’s at 510 Bank St. on August 7 between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Izakaya Shingen at 201 Bank St. on August 8 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
- Cineplex Odeon at 2385 City Park Dr. on August 8, during a 6:50 p.m. showing of Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Ottawa Hospital also confirmed that an “isolated case of measles” was identified at the General Campus emergency department. Hospital officials are notifying staff and patients who may have been exposed. OPH confirmed it was the same person from their release.
Health officials advise anyone who visited these locations during the specified times to monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure, even if vaccinated. Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, white spots in the mouth, and red, watery eyes. A red rash typically appears a few days later, starting on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
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If symptoms develop, people should call their healthcare provider first, inform them of the possible exposure, and wear a medical-grade mask to any appointments.
Of Ottawa’s five measles cases this year, two are now known to be related to the ongoing provincial outbreak. As of August 12, Public Health Ontario reported 2,362 cases associated with the provincial outbreak, though recent data shows new weekly cases have dropped to single digits for the first time since January.
Measles is highly contagious, spreading through airborne particles when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can survive in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.
The most effective protection against measles is vaccination. In Ontario, children typically receive two doses of measles vaccine by age seven – one at 12 months and another between four and six years of age. People born before 1970 are generally considered protected, while those born in or after 1970 need two doses of measles vaccine for full protection.
For more information about measles or vaccination, residents can visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Measles.
