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CBC
25-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Manitoba health officials urge vaccinations as number of measles cases climbs
Manitoba health authorities are working to build trust with southern communities where immunization rates are low, in order to prevent a full-scale measles outbreak. "We are definitely seeing a change in decision making for a number of parents, but we also see a number of parents who are still continuing to decide not to have their children immunized. So it's definitely a mixed response," said Dr. Davinder Singh, a medical officer of health for the Southern Health region. "We're constantly trying to build trust with those who, for whatever reason, have not had their children immunized … to try to provide information on the importance of it." Measles can be life-threatening and tends to be more severe in infants and young children. As of Thursday, there had been nine lab-confirmed cases of measles detected in Manitoba this year, according to provincial data. There are also four probable cases from earlier in the year in which people had symptoms and connection to Ontario, where measles was circulating, but no lab tests were done, Singh said. The seventh and eighth cases were confirmed Wednesday afternoon. The province has not released any information about the ninth case. A spokesperson said that's probably because there was no risk of transmission if the patient self-isolated. The two cases announced Wednesday are students at Southwood School, an elementary school in Schanzenfeld. They are related to recent international travel to Mexico, health officials say, but there is a risk of potential exposure to others at the school near Winkler, and on the school bus. Letters were sent out by the school on Wednesday with information to parents about checking the immunization status of their children and how to monitor for any symptoms of measles, Singh said. The measles vaccine, typically given as part of the combined MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, is a two-dose series. The first is usually recommended around 12 months of age and the second is typically given when the child is four to six years old. "Even just one dose is very protective. About 93 per cent, or 93 out of 100 people who get even one measles vaccine, would be expected to be protected should they be exposed," Singh said. "The second dose is recommended because [there are] those other seven people that aren't protected out of 100 from the first dose." There can be isolated breakthrough cases in immunized people but generally, the doses are extremely effective, he said. "This is a preventable outbreak." An immunization clinic was held at the Southwood School on Thursday and there has been an uptick in vaccines at public health clinics, Singh said. "We are certainly seeing a number of parents who have, for whatever reason, not had their children immunized against measles to date, come forward and ask to be immunized," he said. "I can't put a specific quantitative number to it, but … we're definitely seeing a response to this in a positive way for some parents. But we are seeing parents who are not making that decision, either." Helping people see the benefits of the vaccines requires conversations and education with parents on the part of public health nurses, pharmacists and any other health-care provider who is seeing the family, Singh said. "As long as they have the correct information on the benefits and the anticipated side-effects — mild things like sore arms potential, fever, just common things that you get with immunization … then hopefully a number of people will make the decision," he said. "It's a multi-pronged effort that is ongoing and will continue to be ongoing because … I don't see that risk abating anytime soon."
Winnipeg Free Press
25-04-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Measles cases spur fears of outbreak
Efforts are being made to slow the spread of measles in a region with Manitoba's lowest vaccination rate, as cases of the highly contagious virus climb locally and across the country. 'We've been concerned about the potential for significant measles outbreaks for a long time,' said Dr. Davinder Singh, the province's public health lead on the subject of measles. 'If it just happens to get into an under-immunized group, they have a real significant exposure during a contagious time, it could increase quite rapidly.' The province announced Wednesday two new confirmed cases of measles in the Southern Health region at an elementary school in the Rural Municipality of Stanley. SUPPLIED Dr. Davinder Singh, Manitoba's public health lead on the subject of measles. SUPPLIED Dr. Davinder Singh, Manitoba's public health lead on the subject of measles. On Thursday, public health officials were setting up an immunization clinic at Southwood School between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to offer inoculations to the school population and community at large, Garden Valley School Division superintendent Dan Ward told the Free Press. The province said the sites of exposure were Southwood School on April 14 and 15 during school hours, and Bus 2683 before and after school, servicing Southwood School and Prairie Dale School in the nearby community of Schanzenfeld. The two measles cases stemmed from recent international travel to Mexico, a news release said. In a letter send to parents and staff, Ward wrote Southwood School is working closely with public health to ensure the health and safety of students, staff and families. Singh said a school exposure is of significant concern and public health will continue to connect with families with outdated immunization records. Since 2023, the province's five regional health authorities have been monitoring immunization rates and deploying public messaging within communities with lower vaccine uptake, Singh said. 'This is an entirely preventable type of outbreak. We have an extremely effective, extremely safe vaccine … it's within our control entirely to be able to prevent outbreaks of measles.'–Dr. Davinder Singh Measles vaccination rates in the Southern Health region continue to be the lowest in the province and currently make up the majority of confirmed cases and exposures provincewide. According to the province's 2023 annual report on immunization coverage in children, Southern Health had a measles vaccination rate of 63.8 per cent for children up to two years old receiving the first dose and 53.3 per cent for children receiving the second dose by age seven. Manitoba's first-dose rate was 79.9 per cent and 65.4 per cent for second doses. RM of Stanley reeve Ike Friesen was informed of the newest cases Wednesday evening by the school division's board of trustees. JURA MCILRAITH / THE CARILLON FILES Winkler mayor Henry Siemens. JURA MCILRAITH / THE CARILLON FILES Winkler mayor Henry Siemens. Friesen said he is not concerned about the recent cases and the RM is taking a hands-off approach to communicating the emerging virus numbers to the public. 'It's not our responsibility for any health issues like that, it's up to Southern Health,' he said. 'There is really nothing that we would be involved in.' Friesen said the RM would not be relaying information about the vaccine clinic to residents. Winkler mayor Henry Siemens made similar comments regarding the city's responsibility for public messaging regarding measles and denied there were any lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to be brought forward. 'There is absolutely no story or lesson to be learned here,' Siemens said. The mayor applauded the school division and Southern Health for its communication regarding the recent cases. Southern Health deferred comment regarding spreading awareness about measles and vaccination to Singh. He said the province is taking every available opportunity to discuss vaccinations with residents, but recognizes it is important to tread lightly. 'There is absolutely no story or lesson to be learned here.'–Winkler mayor Henry Siemens 'If you have someone who is hesitant or not wanting a specific recommended intervention, then pushing too hard often has the opposite effect to what you hope for … so trying to address those in a respectful way is just the approach that we try to take whenever we have those opportunities,' he said. As of Thursday, there have been 12 confirmed or probable cases of measles in Manitoba in 2025, including five confirmed cases of people living in the same household. The Public Health Agency of Canada said measles cases have been reported in six provinces — Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan. Ontario reported 95 new measles cases Thursday, bringing the total number of infections to 1,020 since October. Seventy-six people, including 57 children, have been hospitalized during the outbreak. All but four of those hospitalized were unvaccinated. During Elections Get campaign news, insight, analysis and commentary delivered to your inbox during Canada's 2025 election. In Alberta, 122 cases of measles have been reported since March. Measles is a highly infectious communicable disease and tends to be more severe in infants and young children. Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure and may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. Several days after initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and progresses down the body. Measles can lead to complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and encephalitis. Singh asked the public to check vaccine records and stay up to date on inoculations. 'This is an entirely preventable type of outbreak. We have an extremely effective, extremely safe vaccine … it's within our control entirely to be able to prevent outbreaks of measles,' he said. April 21 marked national immunization week. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority urged residents to check their immunization records and get caught up if necessary. Nicole BuffieMultimedia producer Nicole Buffie is a multimedia producer who reports for the Free Press city desk. Born and bred in Winnipeg, Nicole graduated from Red River College's Creative Communications program in 2020 and worked as a reporter throughout Manitoba before joining the Free Press newsroom in 2023. Read more about Nicole. Every piece of reporting Nicole produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
24-04-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Two new cases of measles announced
Manitoba Health announced two new confirmed cases of measles in the province Wednesday. That brings the total number of confirmed and probable infections reported in Manitoba to 12 since February 10. Both individuals attended Southwood School in the Rural Municipality of Stanley during the infectious period, a news release late Wednesday stated. The cases were confirmed after recent travel to Mexico. Public health officials asked anyone who may have been exposed at the school on April 14-15 or on school buses servicing Southwood and Prairie Dale schools on those days to contact Health Links at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or toll-free in Manitoba at 1-888-351-9257. The measles virus spreads through close contact with an infected person and through the air via cough or sneeze. The virus can be spread by droplets that can stay in the air for several hours. Infection can result in serious illness or death. Symptoms generally appear 21 days after exposure. Public health officials urge Manitobans to stay up to date on immunization, the only means of protection from measles.
