Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is warning residents of possible measles exposure at eight local businesses, after two people in the city were confirmed to have the disease.
OPH said in a news release on Thursday, Oct. 8, that both residents were exposed to measles outside Ontario. The agency said the risk to the general population remains low.
Health workers are contacting people they know may have been exposed. OPH issued the public notice to reach anyone who could not be contacted or whose contact information was incomplete, CTV News Ottawa reported.
The possible exposure sites are a Tim Hortons at 3224 Hawthorne Rd. on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and then, on Friday, Oct. 2, a Your Independent Grocer and a Rexall drugstore at 1910 St. Laurent Blvd., a Metro supermarket at 2261 Walkley Rd., a Subway at 3190 Hawthorne Rd., a McDonald’s at 1796 St. Laurent Blvd. and Ruby’s Restaurant at 10 York St. in the ByWard Market.
The Friday exposure windows were 3:15 to 5:45 p.m. at the grocery store, 3:45 to 6 p.m. at the drugstore, 4 to 6:15 p.m. at Metro, and 5:30 to 8 p.m. at both Subway and McDonald’s. Ruby’s Restaurant’s window began at 6:30 p.m. and ran into the late evening. Reports differ slightly on its end time, so check OPH’s notice for the exact hours.
The last location is a Tim Hortons at 2800 Lancaster Rd. on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
OPH said anyone who was at these places during the listed times should watch for symptoms for 21 days after exposure, even if they are vaccinated. That means monitoring until Oct. 22 for the first location, Oct. 23 for the Oct. 2 locations and Oct. 24 for the last.
The agency advised people to check their vaccination records for a measles dose. The vaccine appears on records as MMR, MMRV or M. Most Ontario children receive two doses, one at 12 months and one between ages four and six. OPH said people born before 1970 are generally considered immune because they likely had measles in the past.
Early symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, white spots in the mouth, and red, watery eyes that may be sensitive to light. A red rash usually appears a few days later, starting on the face and spreading to the arms and legs, and lasts four to seven days. Symptoms can appear up to 21 days after exposure but usually start within seven to 12 days, and they generally last one to two weeks.
OPH said anyone who develops symptoms should call their health-care provider and tell them about the possible exposure before going in. People without a provider can contact Health811 online or dial 8-1-1 to reach a registered nurse.
The alert came ahead of the Thanksgiving long weekend, when many families gather and travel. OPH said vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Canada lost its measles elimination status in 2025 after a prolonged outbreak, which has made public health units more cautious about exposure notices.
The information in this report comes from OPH as reported by CTV News Ottawa, CP24 and CBC News.
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