Ottawa’s public health officials have issued a warning regarding potential measles exposure at two local churches. This alert follows an investigation into a cluster of five measles cases linked to a single family.
Church Locations and Dates of Exposure
Individuals who attended the following locations during the specified times may have been exposed to the virus:
- St. Clement Parish at Saint Anne Church
528 Old St. Patrick St., Lowertown
Date: Sunday, October 12
Time: 10:20 a.m. – 2 p.m. - St. George’s Parish
415 Piccadilly Ave., Island Park area
Dates: Monday, September 29 – Thursday, October 2
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. daily
Recommendations and Symptoms
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) advises anyone who was present at these locations during the specified times to check their measles vaccination status. Symptoms to monitor include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Irritated eyes
- White spots in the mouth
- Red rash that begins on the face
Symptoms generally surface within 21 days after exposure. For those who attended St. George’s Parish, the observation period will end on Thursday. For attendees of St. Clement Parish, it will conclude on November 2.
Recent Measles Cases in Ottawa
So far in 2025, Ottawa has recorded ten cases of measles, the first instances since 2019, according to OPH. The outbreak in Ontario was declared over on October 9, following more than 2,300 reported cases and a tragic incident involving the death of a newborn who contracted measles in utero.
Local health authorities are urging all residents to remain vigilant about vaccination and to take appropriate measures should symptoms appear.
