Measles exposure reported at Montreal CHU Sainte-Justine hospital as Quebec declares new outbreak
Posted March 24, 2026 4:47 pm.
Quebec public health officials have declared a new measles outbreak, with confirmed cases linked to exposure sites in Montreal and the Laurentians.
Health authorities say two cases have been identified so far, and they are not currently considered linked. One is travel-related, while the source of the other remains under investigation. Neither case resides on the Island of Montreal, with infections reported in the greater Montreal area, specifically the Laurentians.
In Montreal, a potential exposure was reported at CHU Sainte-Justine. The exposure occurred in the emergency room on March 21 during the afternoon, with approximately 100 people believed to have been exposed after one of the infected individuals visited the hospital.
Additional exposure sites were identified in the Laurentians region, including locations in Saint-Eustache, Mont-Tremblant and Piedmont between March 10 and 19, including a pediatric emergency care centre and a daycare.
Anyone present at the identified locations is considered a contact of a confirmed case. Unvaccinated individuals are being asked to isolate, while all exposed individuals are advised to monitor for symptoms for up to 21 days.
Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, sensitivity to light and a rash that typically begins on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.
In an email, Geneviève Paradis, a spokesperson for the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal said health officials are calling for “vigilance among clinical staff, physicians and other health-care professionals.”
She said a single case of measles is considered an outbreak due to the virus’s high level of contagiousness, even though an epidemiological outbreak typically refers to at least two linked cases, which has not been confirmed in this situation.
Health officials note that Quebec has recorded two small outbreaks in the past year, consistent with previous years, and maintains a relatively low number of outbreaks per capita compared to other provinces, according to federal data.
Vaccination remains the primary tool for prevention, with public health authorities aiming for at least 95 per cent coverage. Current vaccination rates vary by region, ranging from about 82 to nearly 97 per cent among adolescents.
Officials are also reminding the public to ensure their vaccinations, including measles, are up to date before travelling to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.
