The Public Health Agency of Canada is urging everyone to make sure they have their two doses of measles vaccine, especially before travelling. Global health authorities are reporting there was a significant increase in measles last year, and it continues to rise this year, due in part to a decline in measles vaccinations during the pandemic.

A news release from the Public Health Agency says measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that can cause serious disease. Anyone who is travelling internationally and isn’t vaccinated is at risk of being infected. There is a travel health notice for measles in all countries right now.

Symptoms of measles include fever, red watery eyes, runny nose, and cough followed by a red rash that starts on the face and then moves to the rest of the body. As of February 10th, there have been four cases of measles in the country.