OPH Alerts Public to Potential Measles Exposure at Two Ottawa Churches
Ottawa’s public health agency issued an alert regarding potential measles exposure affecting visitors to two local churches. This warning emerges from an investigation into a family cluster of five confirmed measles cases.
Potential Measles Exposure at Ottawa Churches
Individuals who attended the following locations may have been exposed to the virus:
- St. Clement Parish at Saint Anne Church: 528 Old St. Patrick St., Lowertown, on Sunday, October 12, from 10:20 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- St. George’s Parish: 415 Piccadilly Ave., Island Park, from Monday, September 29, to Thursday, October 2, between 9 a.m. and noon each day.
Signs and Symptoms of Measles
People who were present during these times are advised to check their vaccination status. They should also monitor for measles symptoms, which include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Irritated eyes
- White spots inside the mouth
- Red rash beginning on the face
Symptoms can appear within 21 days of exposure. For those at St. George’s, the symptom observation period ends on Thursday, October 23. For St. Clement attendees, it concludes on November 2.
Health Precautions and Historical Context
Anyone displaying symptoms within this window should seek immediate guidance on medical care. In 2025, Ottawa reported 10 measles cases, marking the first occurrences since 2019.
Ontario recently declared an end to a measles outbreak that had resulted in over 2,300 cases and a tragic infant mortality due to the virus late last year.
Public health officials continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination. Measles is a highly contagious viral infection, and timely immunization remains the best defense against outbreaks.
