A WestJet employee who flew on a series of seven flights has been diagnosed with the measles virus, and potentially exposed passengers to the illness.
The airline was made aware of the situation by Toronto Public Health and started to contact travellers who may have been exposed.
READ MORE: Measles: 5 questions and answers
“Health and safety is our top priority and we are working very closely with the Toronto Public Health and following its recommended protocol for managing this situation,” said WestJet spokesperson Lauren Stewart via email to Global News.
The WestJet crew member was on the following flights:
- March 22 – WS450 Abbotsford to Calgary
- March 22 – WS610 Calgary to Ottawa
- March 22 – WS369 Ottawa to Toronto
- March 23 – WS590 Toronto to Montreal
- March 24 – WS581 Montreal to Toronto
- March 24 – WS2668 Toronto to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
- March 24 – WS2669 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos to Toronto
READ MORE: Why is measles so contagious? 5 things you need to know
Measles is a highly contagious disease and can spread very easily, particularly to those who are not immune or are vulnerable.
It can spread through direct contact, through the air via a cough or sneeze, or by way of contact with shared objects and surfaces.
Anyone who has not had two doses of the vaccine or has not had measles in the past is at risk of infection. Infants, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems can become very ill with measles.
Toronto Public Health officials are also warning of measles exposure risk stemming from two international flights:
March 19 – Emirates Airline flight EK517, departed Delhi, India at 4:12 p.m. and arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at 6:13 p.m.
March 20 – Emirates Airline flight EK241 – Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Toronto.
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