Measles: Advice for travellers

Original publication date: July 23, 2019

Updated: November 13, 2025

Key points

• Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Travellers can be exposed to measles in many different settings. Examples include transit hubs such as airports and train stations, on airplanes and trains, at popular attractions, during large or crowded events, and even during visits with friends and family in areas that are experiencing outbreaks.
• Anyone who isn’t immune to measles is at risk of being infected, including when travelling.
• 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.

Current situation

• There is an increase in measles cases in many parts of the world.
• You’re more at risk for getting measles while travelling if you:
  
  • aren’t immune to measles (through vaccination or previous infection), and are travelling to regions or countries where measles is circulating

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 you leave

Talk to a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic, preferably about 6 weeks before your departure date, 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 health care provider:

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

Measles vaccination recommendations:

• Those born BEFORE 1970:
  
  • 1 dose of the measles-containing vaccine if there’s 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’s 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’re 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’ll 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.

Register as a Canadian Abroad

While you’re away

Monitor your health

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

• Determine if you’re 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 return

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’ll advise you on what to do.

Before going to a healthcare facility, ensure the facility knows that you might have measles. This way, a health care 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

About measles

• Infected individuals can spread measles from 4 days before to 4 days after the rash appears.
• Symptoms usually develop 7–21 days after exposure and begin with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.
• A red, blotchy rash appears 3–7 days after the first symptoms, starting on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Most people recover in 2–3 weeks.
• Severe, and sometimes fatal, complications can occur, particularly in young children, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems.

Learn more:

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

Information for health professionals

Measles: For health professionals
Measles vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide
Immunization of travellers: Canadian Immuniza