Montreal has confirmed its first case of measles as part of a growing outbreak in Quebec, health authorities announced on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The island's case brings the total number of confirmed infections in the province's latest outbreak to seven.
Outbreak Spreads to Multiple Regions
The Montreal case means the highly contagious virus has now been detected in four Quebec regions. Cases have also been confirmed in the Laurentians, Lanaudière, and Laval, indicating a wider spread beyond a single community.
In a public statement, the Montreal Public Health Department emphasized that the situation remains fluid. "Since measles is circulating in Canada and internationally, other sporadic cases are still possible," the department noted in a communiqué. This warning underscores the ongoing risk of transmission.
Exposure Risks and Public Health Response
While the official confirmation came on Thursday, public health officials revealed that individuals believed to have been infected were present at various locations on Montreal Island on nine separate occasions since December 9. This timeline suggests potential community exposure over a period of nearly ten days before the case was formally announced.
The health authority has identified specific groups as being at higher risk for severe complications from measles. These include children under one year of age, individuals with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women who are not adequately vaccinated against the disease.
Understanding the Measles Threat
Measles is a serious airborne viral infection known for its high contagion rate. Symptoms often begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a characteristic red rash that spreads across the body. Complications can be severe, leading to pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and hospitalization.
The confirmation of measles on Montreal Island marks its official return to the city, a development public health officials have been monitoring closely given global and national trends in declining vaccination rates in some areas.
Health experts consistently stress that vaccination is the most effective defense against measles. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is part of Quebec's routine childhood immunization schedule and is widely available for both children and adults who may not be fully protected.
