Measles Information for Health Professionals

Clinical Signs and Symptoms

Clinically compatible signs and symptoms are characterized by:

• fever
• generalized maculopapular, erythematous rash for at least three days, and
• at least one of: cough, coryza or conjunctivitis

Most people exposed to measles become symptomatic after 10-14 days. Incubation period ranges from seven to 21 days. Cases are infectious from one day before the start of the prodromal period, which is usually about four days before rash onset, to four days after onset of rash. Exclusion for measles exposure begins five days after first exposure due to the possibility of transmission before symptoms begin.

Laboratory Testing

Follow PCR testing information for Measles from Public Health Ontario.

NOTE: Priority specimens for measles testing must be packaged separately from routine specimens – mark STAT on the outside of the package.

Ensure your office has specimen containers and supplies available for testing. Confirm the expiry dates on the specimen containers (e.g., swabs). Kits can be ordered from PHOL.

Measles PCR is a diagnostic test for the detection of viral RNA in clinical specimens collected from patients suspected of having Measles and is useful during the early phase of the disease following symptom onset.

Measles PCR is the preferred testing method during periods of significant community transmission such as the current multi-jurisdictional outbreak. Measles serology testing may provide additional diagnostic value, however blood collection may cause additional health care visit and community exposure and therefore is not mandated. The decision to collect blood for serology remains at the discretion of the health care provider.

Testing for immune status (IgG) is not routinely recommended for unvaccinated, under-vaccinated individuals, and unknown vaccination status. Measles-containing vaccine should be offered as the ideal protective measure in accordance with Canadian Immunization Guide.

For suspected cases of Measles, contact TPH prior to collecting specimens.

Specimen documentation and transport

On each laboratory requisition for virus detection (PCR) or diagnostic serology clearly mark “suspect case of measles.” All requisitions should contain the following information: patient’s symptoms and date of onset, exposure history, travel history (if any) and vaccination history. The diagnostic tick box should also be marked. Specimens must be stored and shipped cold.

Ensure the case has been reported to TPH as per above.

Measles virus detection by PCR

• NP or throat swab: collected using Viral Transport Media (pink liquid medium) within seven days after rash onset; AND
• Urine: minimum volume of 50 mL of urine collected within 14 days after rash onset.

Note: A negative PCR result should not be used to rule out measles and needs to be interpreted along with serology, symptoms, exposure history and vaccination status. In certain situations, such as when there is a high index of suspicion for measles (e.g., compatible illness in a returned traveller or contact with a laboratory-confirmed case) it may be warranted to test beyond the above time periods when specimens could not be collected earlier in the illness. This can be discussed with Toronto Public Health (TPH) on a case-by-case basis.

Contact the Public Health Ontario (PHO) Laboratories customer service at 416-235-6556 or 1-877-604-4567 if you have any questions.

More information

• Measles – Diagnostic PCR Test Information (PHO)
• Measles – Serology Test Information (PHO)

Vaccination

MMR Vaccine Eligibility & Recommendations

NOTE: Ontario is currently experiencing a measles outbreak. In addition to the routine measles vaccination recommendations, see Outbreak Related Measles Immunization Strategy.

Publicly funded MMR vaccine can be provided based on the following recommendations:

Age Group	MMR Vaccine Recommendations
Infants and children NOT travelling	Give one dose of MMR vaccine on or after the child’s first birthday. Give MMRV vaccine as the second dose at age 4-6 years.*# Where possible, give second dose of MMRV closer to age 4 than age 6.
Infants and children travelling to areas where measles is circulating	Infants: MMR vaccine can be given early at 6-11 months of age. Two additional doses of measles containing vaccine are still required after the first birthday. Preschoolers: Consider giving the second dose of MMR vaccine earlier than age 4-6 years Ideally, give measles vaccine at least two weeks before travel.
Born before 1970 in Canada	Generally considered to have natural immunity since measles was circulating in Canada before 1970. Some of these individuals may be susceptible. Individuals who work in a health care setting must show proof of immunity (record of two doses of MMR vaccine OR serology). Post-secondary students and travellers should consider getting at least one dose of MMR vaccine.
Born in 1970 or later	If unknown status, give two doses of MMR vaccine at least 28 days apart. If client only had one dose of MMR vaccine, give the second dose of MMR vaccine at least 28 days after the first dose. If client had two doses of MMR vaccine, consider fully immunized – no serology required.
All others	All Ontarians, regardless of date of birth, are eligible for two publicly funded doses of measles-containing vaccine based on the health care provider’s clinical judgment and the needs of the patient (e.g., health care worker, post-secondary student, planning to travel where measles is circulating). Note: Vaccination over serology is generally preferred.

 

*MMR is a live virus vaccine. Two live virus vaccines can be given on the same day or at least 28 days apart. The exception is with MMRV and MMR vaccine which must be given six weeks apart according to the Immunization of School Pupils Act. MMR and Var may be given at the same visit if required.
^#Preschool children who are given their second MMR before 4-6 years of age can then receive their second varicella-only vaccine at age 4-6 years (not MMRV).
NOTE: Measles-susceptible individuals who are pregnant should wait until after giving birth to get vaccinated with MMR vaccine. Susceptible individuals who are breastfeeding can be vaccinated with MMR vaccine. Pregnancy should be delayed by at least four weeks following vaccination with MMR vaccine.
Source: Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule, Canadian Immunization Guide.

Health care settings

For prevention of measles transmission in health care settings, all employees (e.g., nurses, physicians, support staff) should ensure that they are immune to measles. In the event of a measles exposure, employees will be excluded from work from five to 21 days post measles exposure unless they can provide proof of immunity regardless of their year of birth. Proof of measles immunity includes:

• documentation of receipt of two doses of measles-containing vaccine on or after the first birthday, with doses given at least four weeks apart, or
• laboratory evidence of immunity.

More information

• Communicable Disease Surveillance Protocol Guide (OHA/OMA)
• Guidelines for Measles Outbreak in Canada (PHAC) 

Outbreak related Measles Immunization Strategy

Ontario is experiencing a measles outbreak. Health care providers should be aware of the outbreak recommendations to ensure those planning to visit/travel to affected regions are vaccinated appropriately,

The following measles immunization recommendations apply to individuals who live, work, travel (e.g., family visit), worship, or spend time in affected regions and communities in Ontario* with active measles cases and where the risk of exposure in the community is higher:

• Infants (six to 11 months): Should receive one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two additional doses are required after the age of one year.
• Children (one to four years): Children who have received their first dose of MMR vaccine are encouraged to receive a second dose as soon as possible (at a minimum of four weeks from the first dose).
• Adults (18+ years) born on or after 1970: A second dose of MMR vaccine is recommended.

*currently includes the following health unit jurisdictions: Chatham-Kent, Grey Bruce, Lambton, Middlesex-London, Waterloo, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, Windsor-Essex, Southwestern, Grand Erie, and Huron Perth.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis

Summary of updated measles post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) recommendations for susceptible contacts

Population	Time since exposure to measles ≤ 72 hours	Time since exposure to measles 73 hours to six days
Susceptible infants zero to six months of age	IMIg (0.5 mL/kg)	IMIg (0.5 mL/kg)
Susceptible immunocompetent infants six to 12 months of age	MMR vaccine	IMIg (0.5 mL/kg)
Susceptible immunocompetent individuals 12 months of age and older	MMR vaccine series	MMR vaccine series
Susceptible pregnant individuals	IVIg (400 mg/kg) or IMIg (0.5 mL/kg), limited protection if 30kg or more	IVIg (400 mg/kg) or IMIg (0.5 mL/kg), limited protection if 30 kg or more
Susceptible immunocompromised individuals six months of age and older	IVIg (400 mg/kg) or IMIg (0.5 mL/kg), limited protection if 30kg or more	IVIg (400 mg/kg) or IMIg (0.5 mL/kg), limited protection if 30 kg or more
Individuals with confirmed measles immunity	No PEP required	No PEP required

Reference and more information

• Canadian Immunization Guide – Measles Vaccines (PHAC) 
• Canadian Communicable Disease Report: Updated NACI recommendation for measles post-exposure prophylaxis (PHAC)

Infection Prevention and Control

Airborne precautions are used in addition to Routine Practices for patients known or suspected of having measles. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and gowns may be added as required based on risk assessment as per Routine Practices.

In a clinical office setting, follow the most up to date provincial guidance:

• Make every effort to see the patient at the end of the day if clinical status allows.
• Quickly triage the patient out of the common waiting areas and move the patient to an examining room. If possible, the patient should enter and exit through a separate entrance and go directly in and out of the examination room.
• Provide a surgical face mask for the patient to wear at all times while in all areas of the clinical office. For practices with a large pediatric component, pediatric masks are now available for purchase.
• Keep the door to the treatment/exam room closed; open a window in the room if possible.
• Visitors and staff should not enter the room unless they have documented immunity to measles (see Vaccination).
• All health care workers, regardless of presumptive immunity to measles, are to wear a fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator when providing care to a patient with suspect or confirmed measles.
• Place alert signage for staff on the closed door.
• Allow sufficient time for the air to change in the room and be free of droplet nuclei before using the room for other patients – two hours is a conservative estimate of the time required. The time required may be minimized if the patient has worn a surgical mask consistently.
• Routine cleaning for the room or equipment is sufficient after examining a patient under Airborne Precautions.

In an acute care setting, promptly isolate the patient with suspect or confirmed measles in a single room with negative air flow (airborne isolation room) and the door closed. Precautions should be in place for four days after the start of the rash and for the duration of illness in immunocompromised patients.

Patient movement should be curtailed unless absolutely necessary and then only conducted with the patient wearing a surgical mask.

More information

Ontario PPE Supply Portal – To order N95 respirators and other PPE.

Interim IPAC Recommendation and Use of PPE for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed Measles.

Routine Practices and Additional Precautions in All Health Care Settings (PIDAC)

Treatment

• There is no specific treatment for measles.
• Medical care is supportive to help relieve symptoms and address complications such as bacterial infections.

Reporting

Immediately report all suspect or confirmed cases of measles infection to TPH at 416-392-7411 during business hours (8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday) or 311 after hours.

More Information

• Measles for Health Professionals (PHAC)
• Measles for Healthcare Providers (CDC, USA)
• Canadian Immunization Guide – Measles Vaccine (PHAC)
• Communicable Disease Surveillance Protocol Guide (OHA)
• Guidelines for Measles Outbreak in Canada (PHAC)
• Measles (PHO)
• Measles: Information for Health Care Providers (PHO)

For your patient

• Measles Fact Sheet (TPH)