Quebec health officials report 10 cases of measles in Montreal area, confirm community spread

10 cases of measles found

Photo: The Canadian Press

Quebec public health director Dr. Luc Boileau gestures during a news conference, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Montreal. Boileau says there are now around a dozen cases of measles in the province, including at least one case acquired locally. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Quebec public health officials say the Montreal area has become the epicentre of measles cases in Canada.

Officials have confirmed there is community spread of the virus in and around the city, with a total of 10 cases reported.

On Friday public health reported three cases in the province.

Quebec public health director Dr. Luc Boileau says three of the seven cases in the city of Montreal are linked to travel.

He says almost all of those who have tested positive for the virus, which can be deadly in some cases, are children.

Montreal public health director Dr. Mylène Drouin says that before the recent spread, the city had not reported a case since 2019.

One measles case has been reported in British Columbia.