Increased Measles Activity and Exposures in Manitoba

Northwestern Health Unit

Special to The Bulletin

Northwestern Health (NWHU) is informing the public about an increase in measles cases and exposures in Manitoba.  
Southern Manitoba is reporting increased measles activity. Manitoba has reported 74 measles cases in 2026, the highest monthly total since the outbreak began in February of last year. In addition, Manitoba Public Health has identified Manitoba Ag Days as a likely measles transmission event. The event was held between January 20 – 22, 2026, at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba and was attended by approximately 35,000 people. Attendees may have been exposed to measles while at the event venues, hotels, restaurants, shops and other locations in the city during the event days as well as the days leading up to and following the event. This could lead to an even further increase of cases in Manitoba and the possibility of spread to other areas, including Northwestern Ontario. 
All measles exposures in Manitoba, including Ag Days, are listed here: Measles Exposures in Manitoba | Health | Province of Manitoba.  (https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/measles-exposures.html) 
 The timeline for most exposure locations has passed.  If you visited any of those locations and developed measles symptoms, you may have spread measles to others.  Anyone who has been exposed and is not immune (through immunization or previous measles infection), should monitor 
for symptoms and reduce contact with others, especially anyone who is immunocompromised or unimmunized. Measles symptoms usually appear 10-14 days after exposure but may appear up to 21 days after exposure.  
Those who are traveling to areas where measles is of concern (including the Southern Health region of Manitoba) are eligible for measles vaccination and should call the NWHU to check their records. This risk will likely be ongoing 
for the foreseeable future in this area and other areas in Canada, the US, and the world.  Getting immunized, if not already immune, is strongly recommended.  For more information about measles, including who is protected, symptoms to monitor for, and the measles vaccine, visit our website: Measles Information – Northwestern Health Unit. (https://www.nwhu.on.ca/our-services/vaccines-and-immunizations/measles-information/)