18 more measles cases, 4 new exposure sites confirmed in Manitoba

Health officials in Manitoba say 18 new cases of measles were confirmed during the second week of January.

According to Manitoba Health data, which dates back to Jan. 17 and was updated Friday, there have been 351 confirmed and 30 probable cases of the highly contagious disease since February 2025.

Since February, 20 cases of measles in Manitoba have required hospitalization, including two ICU admissions. Of the patients admitted to the hospital, 16 were below 10 years of age.

The update comes after health officials warned that people could contract measles in four locations between January 13 and 15.

Anyone at the following locations on specified dates and times is asked to monitor for symptoms until the identified date:

• Walmart Supercenter at 1000 Navigator Road. On Jan. 13 in Winkler, from 4 to 9 p.m., monitor for symptoms through Feb. 4.
• Horrocks Insurance at 1631 St. Mary’s Road. E. In Winnipeg on January 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., monitor for symptoms until February 5.
• Jan. 15 at Del Rios Restaurant at 644 Main St. in Winkler, 12 to 3 p.m. Monitor for symptoms through Feb. 6.
• East St. Paul Curling Club at 260 Hoddinott Road (2nd floor). Monitor for symptoms in East St. Paul on January 15, from 4:30 pm to 11 pm, through February 6.

The province is encouraging those in need to check their vaccination records and make sure their vaccines are up to date.

Canada has seen a worrying increase in the number of measles cases since the outbreak began in October 2024, overall 5,380 probable and confirmed Cases till January 10, According to Health Canada.

Measles is spread by droplets It is created in the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks. Even spending a few minutes in the same place with a sick person poses a risk of infection, as the virus can live on surfaces for up to two hours after the infected person leaves.

When monitoring symptoms, keep an eye out for fever, runny nose, drowsiness, red eyes, small white spots inside the mouth or throat, and red skin rash. Symptoms usually appear within one week to three weeks after exposure.

Manitoba Health says vaccination is the only way to protect people from measles.

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, the province said, the second dose may be given earlier.

More than 86 per cent of measles cases reported in Manitoba involve people who have not had a single dose of vaccine against the disease, according to provincial data.

Eleven of the cases in Manitoba involved people who had received one dose of measles vaccine and 18 others had received two or more doses. Vaccination status of 22 cases was unknown, the province said.