A new measles outbreak is underway in Quebec. A total of 27 cases have been reported, the majority of which are in the Capitale-Nationale region. The most recent case was identified on June 28.
About ten cases of measles were reported last week alone in the Portneuf RCM. The locations where exposure occurred include the emergency room and triage area at Saint-Raymond Hospital, as well as several stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies in Pont-Rouge and Donnacona.
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Other cases have been reported since early June in Montreal, the Montérégie region, Laval, the Laurentians, and Lanaudière.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease. It spreads through the air simply by being near an infected person who is breathing or speaking. If you are not vaccinated, you can catch measles by being in the same room as an infectious person, even for a short time.
On average, it takes 10 to 14 days from exposure to the virus until symptoms appear, which include a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Subsequently, infected individuals will usually develop the characteristic measles rash on their face and body.
Complications are possible after contracting the disease, including ear infections, pneumonia, persistent diarrhea (especially in infants), loss of vision or hearing, permanent brain damage, and even death.
Those most at risk are infants under one year of age, people whose immune systems are weakened by treatment for another illness, and pregnant women who have not been vaccinated against measles.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against measles. In Quebec, the immunization schedule calls for infants to receive one dose of the vaccine at 12 months, followed by a second dose at 18 months, but the vaccine is available to everyone, free of charge, regardless of age, even without a health insurance card. You can make an appointment at clicsante.ca or by calling your healthcare provider.
Since 2024, Quebec has experienced three measles outbreaks, the most recent of which began in November 2025 and ended in February 2026. Outside of these outbreaks, there have also been sporadic cases, particularly among people returning from travel.
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The Canadian Press’s health coverage is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this journalistic content.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
