Chief physician says more than 30 measles cases and counting from Brandon’s AG Days

Manitoba’s health system is overwhelmed by rising flu rates and a measles outbreak, the province’s chief public health officer says.

Measles outbreak – happening for It’s been over a year now – happened recently fueled by A big demonstration at Ag Days in Brandon in late JanuaryCanada’s largest indoor farm show.

More than 30 new cases related to Ag Days exposure have been reported, including 12 Confirmed On the same day, February 9, Dr. Brent Roussin Said at a press conference on Thursday.

“This was our highest number at any time during this outbreak.”

Roussin said the number of cases reported from that event is expected to increase.

“There are a number of places that we’ve seen where spread is happening, so we know there are contacts happening in a lot of places. So we have to be vigilant and aware,” he said.

Measles is a Preventable But highly infectious diseases and“Sharing the same air space with someone who has measles poses a risk of transmission,” Roussin said.

Despite this, the province has no plans to impose restrictions or guidelines on large gatherings, even as Brandon prepares to host the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair from March 30 to April 4.

that incident Typically receives over 100,000 visitors It runs in the lead up to and during the week of the fair.

Vaccine eligibility expanded

Roussin said sending a message rather than a mandatory requirement is the government’s preferred method at this time.

“Our message is that if you have not been vaccinated … you really need to consider the risks associated with attending very large gatherings.”

Due to exposure at AG Days and continued transmission rates through southern Manitoba, the province is expanding measles vaccine eligibility.

The vaccine is now available for children six months and older who live in the Prairie Mountains or Southern Health regions, or have frequent contact with people from those areas.

Although the number of measles cases in Manitoba at its highest level in decadesAreas with high vaccination rates, such as Winnipeg, are reporting very low rates, Roussin said.

“This tells us how beneficial that vaccine could be.”

In January, there were 74 confirmed cases in Manitoba — the highest monthly count since the outbreak first reported cases in February 2025. In total, there have been 393 confirmed and 37 probable cases since those first cases.

People People born before 1970 are generally considered immune due to previous exposure, but people born in 1970 or later require vaccination.

Roussin said people who are unsure about their vaccination status should ask their health care provider to check their records.

The province is curbing rising flu rates and more Roussin said cases this season are higher than similar times during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This season has brought particularly high levels of respiratory disease activity, with admissions to emergency departments and urgent cares increasing to nearly 3,000 presentations (cases),” He said.

provincial Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Surveillance Report The number of reported flu cases this season is 3,309.

Of those, 949 people have been hospitalized, including 104 in the intensive care unit. There have also been 132 flu-related deaths.

By comparison, the number of COVID cases this season is 1,580, including 488 hospital admissions (52 in the ICU) and 100 related deaths.

The burden has been controlled by adding More beds and 3,500 health care workers to the system over the past two years, Roussin said.

But he warned that early spring often leads to a second wave of influenza and urged people to get vaccinated to prevent severe disease and reduce hospitalizations and ICU demand.

“Please take advantage of that opportunity to protect yourself and others,” he said.