22-05-2025
Measles keeps spreading in Manitoba
Manitoba is reporting more than a dozen new cases of the measles this week as the outbreak of the highly transmissible virus keeps growing.
Provincial data as of May 17, 2025, shows there have now been 60 measles cases in the last four months. The trend is starting to show some exponential growth, as 42 of the cases have been in May alone. Four probable cases are also being monitored.
Reports of possible public exposures are also piling up. The most recent one happened May 11 at an hours-long Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra event at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain in Winnipeg.
On the same day, another public exposure was reported at Dave and LaVerne's Modern Diner in Winnipeg from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. People who were at either of those locations are being asked to monitor for symptoms until June 2.
Public health officials describe measles as one of the most highly contagious diseases that comes with a recognizable red, blotchy rash.
The disease is airborne, and it can linger in the air for several hours.
Health officials say an infection can be serious and possibly fatal.
Measles vaccine vials
Vials of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine shown in an undated image. (File)
Last week, measles vaccine eligibility was expanded to include children six months to 12 months old who live in, or regularly visit people living in, Southern Health-Santé Sud or the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority. Children who travel regularly are also eligible for the early shot. The early shot does not replace the routine measles vaccine given at 12 months and four to six years old.
