Public safety officials are warning of a possible measles contamination stemming from a flight between Las Vegas and Montreal on Aug. 9.
A spokesperson for Montreal public health said the male passenger on the flight appeared to have caught a connecting flight in Las Vegas, but couldn’t say where his initial point of departure was.
When the man arrived in Canada he began showing symptoms of measles. The public health spokesperson said the people sitting in the two rows in front of him and in back of him were at risk, but those people had been contacted to ensure their vaccinations were up to date.
Measles is a serious and contagious disease that can be spread by sneezing and coughing, and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia. It can be life-threatening if left untreated.
It’s the 24th case of measles in Quebec so far this year. According to public health statistics, Quebec usually averages just four cases per year.
There were more reported cases in the first half of 2019 than any other year since 2006 according to the World Health Organization.
This article originally stated incorrect information about how measles is transmitted. We regret the error.
