THUNDER BAY — Public Health Advises Precaution After Possible Measles Exposure at Local Clinics and Labs
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) is urging residents to take precautions after possible exposure to the measles virus at several local clinics and laboratories.
This advisory comes four days after the city confirmed its first case of measles in nearly 30 years. On Tuesday, the health unit announced that individuals may have been exposed at the following locations and times:
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Wednesday, May 7
• Harbourview Family Health Team, Oliver Road: 10:40 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
• LifeLabs, Oliver Road: 11:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. -
Thursday, May 8
• Port Arthur Health Centre and Shoppers Drug Mart: 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• LifeLabs, P.A. Family Health Centre: 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
These exposures are in addition to previously reported potential contact with the virus on Sunday, May 4, aboard Air Canada flight 1195 from Toronto to Thunder Bay (9:40 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.), and at Thunder Bay International Airport between 11:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.
Karen Battigelli, TBDHU’s manager of infectious disease, confirmed that the infected individual visited all four health locations listed above.
Both LifeLabs locations mentioned have temporarily closed on their own initiative—not under direction from the TBDHU. A LifeLabs spokesperson stated the closures were taken on the advice of the health unit to safeguard the health of staff and patients while verifying employee immunity.
A third LifeLabs location on Arthur Street remains open. The Oliver Road site is expected to reopen Wednesday with limited capacity.
What You Should Do
Those who may have been exposed:
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May 4 (Air Canada flight or airport): Monitor for symptoms until May 25
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May 7 exposure: Monitor until May 28
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May 8 exposure: Monitor until May 29
Symptoms of measles may include:
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Fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes
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Small white spots inside the mouth
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Red blotchy rash starting on the face and spreading down the body (typically appears 3–7 days after other symptoms)
Even those vaccinated against measles should watch for symptoms. If they develop, individuals should stay home and contact their healthcare provider for testing—without visiting in person until advised, to prevent further spread.
Vaccination Guidance
Measles spreads easily through the air. People born before 1970 are generally considered immune due to previous widespread exposure or vaccination. Those born in 1970 or later should ensure they’ve received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
If you’re uncertain about your vaccination status, contact your healthcare provider by phone or email.
Battigelli noted that TBDHU has been anticipating a confirmed measles case for the past year and expects sporadic cases in the future due to travel to regions with active outbreaks.
