PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY
Measles Alert for the NWT
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – March 24, 2025. The Chief Public Health Officer is issuing an advisory to notify the public of measles circulating in Canada and globally, with the potential introduction into the NWT through travel, especially during spring break.
Measles cases in Canada have dramatically increased in 2025. Many jurisdictions are experiencing cases. Some provinces are experiencing large outbreaks and transmission is occurring through inter-provincial travel. The rise in measles cases and inter-provincial transmission is a concern as more people are travelling out of NWT during March break.
Measles is one of the most transmissible and highly infectious diseases. Measles can infect 9 out of 10 people. It is spread easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can become infected when you breathe in air or touch a surface contaminated with the virus. The measles virus can remain in the air for up to 2 hours once an infected person leaves the area. Measles virus can be spread by a person 4 days before the rash until 4 days after the rash appears. This means that you can become infectious and start spreading the disease before you know you are sick.
Measles signs and symptoms appear on average 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Signs and symptoms of measles typically include:
• Fever
• Dry cough
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)
• A skin rash made up of large, flat red blotches, usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body and lasts 4-7 days
• Other viruses can also cause rash. It is important to keep your child at home if they are sick or have a rash.
There is no cure for measles. Most people recover in 2-3 weeks, but measles can have serious complications especially for infants, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. These complications include ear infections, lung infections, and brain inflammation which can lead to deafness, seizures, brain damage, or even death. Measles is a vaccine preventable disease. The best way to protect against measles is to be fully vaccinated. Two doses of the measles vaccine is almost 100% effective at preventing measles.
• All children 12 months and over should have two doses of measles containing vaccine given at least 4 weeks apart.
• It is recommended that all adults born on or after 1970 who are traveling outside the NWT have received two doses of the vaccine in their lifetime.
• Individuals born before 1970 who are traveling outside of NWT should have received one dose of a measles-containing vaccine.
• If you are not sure if you or your child are adequately immunized, or for travel with infants under 12 months of age, book an appointment with your local healthcare provider to discuss vaccination eligibility.
It is important to know your vaccine status by reviewing your immunization records.
If you would like to access your childhood immunization records, contact the health centre or public health unit in the community you received your vaccinations. If you received vaccinations at multiple locations during your life, you may need to contact all of these locations.
If you have questions or concerns about measles, contact a healthcare provider or call 811.
Stay home if you are sick, especially after travel to places experiencing community spread or outbreaks, and avoid visiting unvaccinated people.
For more information on measles please visit:
For more information contact:
Andrew Wind
Manager Communications
Health and Social Services
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