Since the beginning of 2026, measles has been making headlines worldwide. In Bangladesh, an outbreak has caused nearly 98 deaths in less than three weeks, primarily affecting children under five years old. In the United States, outbreaks in the Southeast continue to spread. And in Quebec, the first case was confirmed in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region in February 2026, linked to foreign travel.
This news highlights a reality: measles is not a disease of the past. It remains dangerous, highly contagious, and can resurface quickly in populations with insufficient vaccination rates.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the virus Human measles virus. Its basic reproduction rate (R0) is between 12 and 18 — a single infected person can infect between 12 and 18 others in an unvaccinated population. The virus can survive for up to two hours in the air in a room.
Measles symptoms
Prodromal phase (days 1 to 4)
- High fever (often over 38.5°C)
- Persistent dry cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Koplik spots (whitish spots inside the cheeks)
Eruptive phase (days 3 to 7)
- Rash starting behind the ears and on the forehead
- Extends to the face, neck, torso, arms, legs
- Red to pinkish spots, slightly raised
Possible complications
- Acute otitis media
- Pneumonia (leading cause of death)
- Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
- Dehydration
Transmission
The virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets and through the air. A person is contagious four days before the appearance of the skin rash and up to four days after. The incubation period is 8 to 12 days on average.
Vaccination in Quebec: the RRO vaccination schedule
- First dose: at 12 months
- Second dose: at 18 months
Two doses offer protection of over 97 %. The MMR vaccine is offered free of charge in Quebec through the Quebec Immunization Program.
At-risk adults
- People born between 1970 and 1980 (sometimes received only one dose)
- Incomplete or missing vaccination record
- Healthcare workers and teachers
- International travelers
How to check your vaccination status
- Check your vaccination record
- Ask your family doctor (via the Quebec Health Record)
- Contact your regional Public Health Department
- If in doubt, receiving an additional dose is safe
What to do if you think you have measles?
- Do not introduce yourself directly at the clinic — call first
- Call 811 — available 24/7
- Isolate yourself — avoid all contact with unvaccinated people
- Identify your contacts — to limit the spread
When to consult without delay
- Fever above 102.2°F that does not respond to antipyretics
- Breathing difficulties
- Dehydration
- Confusion or seizures
- Symptoms in an infant under one year old
- Symptoms in an immunocompromised person or a pregnant woman
Clinique Omicron can help you
Our medical teams at our service points in Quebec can check your vaccination status, prescribe missing vaccine doses, and assess symptoms compatible with measles.
Omicron Clinic
Need to consult a doctor?
In-person or via telemedicine, anywhere in Quebec.
We accept insurance. Telemedicine consultations available 7 days a week. No family doctor required.
