Manitoba sees surge in measles cases following Jets game last week

According to the province’s latest measles report, 44 confirmed cases of measles were seen in Manitoba during the first week of February, including one that was exposed at a Winnipeg Jets game on February 4.

Confirmed measles cases in the first week of February alone exceed the total infections recorded in eight of the past 12 months. Only May (72 cases), July (49), December (48) and January 2026 (75) saw higher numbers.

The average number of monthly cases reported from February to December 2025 was just under 29, According to provincial data.

There have been 438 confirmed and 39 probable measles cases in the province since February 2025, according to the latest Manitoba Health data, which covers the period up to Feb. 7 and was posted Friday.

Another case of measles was also confirmed in January in the latest update, bringing the total number of infections that month to 75.

Friday’s data does not include the 12 confirmed measles infections found on Feb. 9. Announced by Dr. Brent RoussinThe province’s chief public health officer, on Thursday.

The province said in its letter that large events taking place in the province over the next few months should be considered potential measles risk sites latest measles bulletinReleased on Thursday.

The province says children under 12 months of age, pregnant people who have not been vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems should consider the possibility of exposure to the disease when deciding whether to attend these gatherings.

jet game exposure

in the middle Latest exposure sites reported by province There’s a Winnipeg Jets game.

The province is reporting exposures in the 300-level seating and concourse area of ​​Winnipeg’s Canada Life Center from 6 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. on Feb. 4.

The downtown area was hosting an NHL game that night between the Winnipeg Jets and the Montreal Canadiens.

Anyone who may have been exposed is advised to monitor for symptoms until February 26.

A spokesman for Jets owner True North Sports & Entertainment, which also owns and operates the arena, said the company has been in communication with Manitoba Public Health and is “relying on their expertise and protocols to provide the necessary public guidance.”

During his Thursday press conference, Roussin also said that a lot has happened 30 infections related to Measles on display at the Ag Days Farm Show in Brandon last month.

About 35,000 people attended the annual event at the Keystone Center in the southwestern Manitoba city between January 20 and 22. People visiting hotels, restaurants and stores in the city during the three-day event were also possibly exposed to the virus, according to Manitoba Public Health.

change in measles notification

The province has also changed the way it reports potential measles exposure.

As of this week, the province has issued bulletins with information on locations with known measles exposures.

But on Thursday, the province said that moving forward, it will only issue bulletins in cases where exposure occurred in the past six days, and those exposed may benefit from preventive treatment.

Other exposure sites reported by the province this week include the emergency department at Boundary Trails Health Center between Winkler and Morden, which was on Feb. 7 from 1:30 to 5:50 p.m.

The King’s School in West St. Paul is also on the latest exposure site list. Those who were at school from 3:45 to 6:15 pm on February 3 have been asked to monitor themselves for symptoms until February 25.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the province is working to make sure people are getting measles information from reliable sources.

“We have a measles problem that vaccination can help with,” Kinew told reporters during an unrelated news conference on Friday.

“You talk to physicians and they say vaccination is one of the things they say will save lives. Maybe a little more time listening to physicians, a little less time on some social media platforms would help us all.”

In Manitoba, a two-dose vaccine schedule for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) is routinely provided to children at least one year old and again to children between four and six years of age. If a child has been exposed to measles, a second dose may be given.

Manitoba expanded eligibility for vaccines in May to infants up to six months of age living in the Southern Health region and the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority area.

Due to the exposure at Ag Days and continued transmission rates through southern Manitoba, the province is expanding measles vaccine eligibility to children ages six to 12 months in the Prairie Mountain Health region.

According to provincial data, the majority of cases in Manitoba — 409, or about 85 per cent — are in people who have not been immunized against the disease, while 23 cases involve people whose vaccination status is unknown.

A total of 18 cases were in people who had received one dose of vaccination against measles. There were 27 cases involving people who had received two or more doses.

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

Since the beginning of the outbreak, 24 people have been hospitalized due to measles, including 17 children under the age of 10, according to public health data.

No measles-related deaths have been reported so far during the Manitoba outbreak, but two people have required admission to intensive care.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that is spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. Even spending a few minutes in the same place as a sick person can put you at risk The virus can remain in the air for two hoursPublic Health said.