Skip to main content
The Canadian Press

This article was published more than 7 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

A nurse loads a syringe with vaccine for injection in Victoria, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004. As Quebec health officials deal with a measles outbreak affecting 119 people, a new study says Canada needs a national database to help prevent and deal with future incidents.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chuck StoodyThe Canadian Press

Ontario's health minister says the province is now — "knock on wood" — measles free.

Eric Hoskins says it has now been 21 days since the last case of measles was reported in Ontario, so unless there are undetected cases, the outbreak appears to be over.

Hoskins, who is a medical doctor, says the incubation period is between seven and 21 days and symptoms tend to appear in the first two weeks.

There were fewer than 20 cases in Ontario, in the Toronto and Niagara regions, compared to 119 cases in Quebec.

Measles is highly contagious and causes fever, a distinctive red rash and a runny nose.

While most people who become infected will only experience an unpleasant illness, the disease can have more serious complications in some cases, particularly in young children.

Report an error