Measles: Advice for travellers

Level 1 - Practise health precautions (more details)

Original publication date: July 23, 2019

Updated: May 12, 2025

Current situation

There is an increase of measles cases in many parts of the world.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others from measles. In Canada, the measles vaccine is part of the routine immunization schedule. If you’re unsure whether you’re protected, talk to a healthcare provider.

If you’re exposed to measles while travelling, you could become infected and bring it back to Canada where it could spread to other people.

You may be more at risk for getting measles while travelling if you:

aren’t immune to measles (through vaccination or previous infection) and
if you are travelling to regions or countries where measles is circulating.

About measles

Measles is a viral infection. If you're infected, you can spread measles from 4 days before the onset of the rash until 4 days after the rash appears. You can get measles by breathing air in a space where someone with measles is or was recently, because the measles virus can live for up to 2 hours in the air. You can also get measles through direct contact with a person who is infected or by touching a surface with the virus on it and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Symptoms can appear 7 to 21 days after being infected with the measles virus.

First symptoms include:

fever
cough
runny nose
red, watery eyes

About 3 to 7 days after symptoms begin, a rash appears. This rash looks like red spots and blotchy patches that start on the face, then spread down the body, arms and legs. The rash can last 4-7 days. Most people recover from measles within 2 to 3 weeks. People sometimes develop severe complications from measles, and in rare cases, these complications can be fatal.

People at higher risk of developing severe complications from measles include:

people who are pregnant
people with weakened immune systems
children (especially those under 5 years of age)

Learn more:

Measles: Symptoms and treatment
Measles: Prevention and risks
Complications of measles

Recommendations

If you have symptoms of measles or have been in contact with someone who has measles, you shouldn’t travel. Contact your local public health authority right away and follow their advice.

Before your trip

Talk to a healthcare provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably about 6 weeks before your trip to get personalized health advice. Even if your travel date is coming up soon, it's still worthwhile to make an appointment.

Discuss with the healthcare provider:

the medications you’re currently taking or planning to bring with you
which pre-travel vaccines or medications may be right for you
whether your routine vaccinations, including measles, are up-to-date.

The following is recommended:

Those born BEFORE 1970:
- 1 dose of the measles-containing vaccine if there is no evidence of immunity (e.g. through blood testing or history of lab-confirmed measles disease)
Those born in 1970 or AFTER (12 months or older):
- 2 doses of the measles-containing vaccine if there is no evidence of immunity (e.g. through blood testing or history of lab-confirmed measles disease).
Infants (6 months to 12 months of age):
- If you are travelling with an infant, discuss early measles vaccination with your child’s health care provider. The measles-containing vaccine may be given as early as 6 months of age if you will be travelling to a region where measles is a concern. If this is the case, the routine 2-dose series must be restarted on or after the first birthday. A total of 3 doses are given.
- The measles containing vaccine is not recommended for infants under 6 months of age. Discuss with a health care provider how best to protect them from measles.

Preventing measles with vaccination

Pack a travel health kit and consider purchasing travel health insurance.

Travel health kit
Travel health insurance

Sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to stay connected with the Government of Canada in case of an emergency abroad or an emergency at home.

Registration of Canadians Abroad

During your trip

Monitor your health

If you have been exposed to someone who has measles while you are travelling, follow the advice of local public health officials. They can:

determine if you are at risk of getting measles and if further action is needed
provide advice on how to reduce the risk of spreading measles to others

After your trip

If you begin to experience any symptoms of measles during your travel back to Canada, you should:

put on a well-fitting respirator or mask
limit contact with other people, if possible
inform the flight attendant, cruise staff and/or a border services officer as soon as possible
- you may be referred to a quarantine officer for a health assessment and further direction.

If you develop symptoms of measles after you return to Canada:

isolate at home and call a healthcare provider immediately. They will advise you on what to do.

Before going to a healthcare facility, ensure the facility knows that you might have measles. This way, a healthcare provider can arrange to see you without spreading the infection to others.

Learn more:

Measles: Prevention and risks
Measles: Symptoms and treatment
Your child's vaccination schedule

If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return