Health Department urges people in Nunavut to get vaccinated against measles

No measles cases have been reported in Nunavut but that doesn’t mean Nunavummiut are in the clear this summer, says Dr. Ekua Agyemang, Nunavut’s acting chief public health officer.

The Department of Health is urging people to get vaccinated against the disease because of ongoing outbreaks in southern Canada.

In Iqaluit, there is a measles vaccine walk-in clinic every Friday from 8:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., in Building 1901 near the old airport terminal, a June 18 public service announcement from the department said.

People across the territory can also call their health-care providers to schedule an appointment.

So far in 2025, 3,381 confirmed cases of measles and 300 probable cases have been reported across Canada, according to Health Canada. Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, N.W.T., Nova Scotia, Ontario, P.E.I., Quebec and Saskatchewan are affected.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known. It spreads through drops of fluid from the nose or throat of someone who has the disease.

The risk of measles being introduced to a Nunavut community depends on local vaccination coverage.

“To prevent outbreaks, a community needs at least 95 per cent coverage with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine,” Agyemang said.

Anyone born after 1970 who is not vaccinated and who has never had measles is at risk.

Having two doses of a measles-containing vaccine is nearly 100 per cent effective at preventing the disease.

Measles symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Three to seven days after symptoms begin, a rash of red spots and blotchy patches develops on the face and spreads to the rest of the body, including the arms and legs.

In darker skin colours, the redness may be harder to see, or it may appear purple or darker than surrounding skin.