Manitoba faces an ongoing measles outbreak with 10 confirmed and four probable cases reported since late April. Public health officials warn of recent exposures at schools, hospital emergency room, and retail store.Health officials are asking residents to watch for symptoms and check their measles vaccination status. Key exposure sites include Dugald School on Holland Street in Dugald, east of Winnipeg, where potential contact occurred on April 29, 30, and May 2 between 8:45 am CST and 5:40 pm CST. Also, bus routes 26 (Route 72) and 128 (Route 79) that serve Dugald School, Oakbank Elementary, Springfield Middle School, and Springfield Collegiate Institute. A school field trip to the Manitoba Museum on those dates also poses exposure risks. .Other locations include the Boundary Trails Health Centre emergency room, between Morden and Winkler, where exposures happened on April 27 from 4:11 pm CST to 10:00 pm CST, and the Winkler Real Canadian Superstore at 175 Cargill Road on April 28 between 4:00 pm CST and 6:00 pm CST. Anyone at any of these exposure locations should watch for symptoms until at least May 19–24. Measles symptoms typically emerge seven to 21 days after exposure. Early signs include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability, and red eyes. Small white spots inside the mouth or throat, and a red blotchy rash appearing on the face and spreading down the body days later. .Infected individuals are advised to isolate immediately and contact their healthcare provider before visiting clinics or hospitals to stop further transmission of the virus. Manitoba Health confirms some recent cases lack links to travel or known contacts, suggesting community spread. Notifications have been sent to families, staff, and volunteers at affected schools and facilities. Officials stress vaccination as the best defence, recommending two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine. .The first vaccine shot is after a child’s first birthday and another before starting school. The outbreak forms part of a larger outbreak across Canada, with cases reported in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba. Health agencies are coordinating responses amid rising concerns over declining vaccination rates. Residents are urged to verify their immunization records through provincial health portals or contact health providers if unsure. .Manitoba offers the MMRV vaccine free to eligible individuals. Those exposed should monitor for symptoms for three weeks and avoid high-risk settings like schools or care homes if infection is suspected. Manitoba Health reminds the public measles is highly contagious, with one infected person capable of spreading the virus to up to 90% of unprotected close contacts. Complications can include pneumonia, brain swelling, and, in rare cases, death.
