Province warns of 5 confirmed measles cases in southern Manitoba, connected to Ontario outbreak

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Peggy

The province sent out a notification on Tuesday warning the public of five confirmed cases of measles in southern Manitoba that are connected to an outbreak in Ontario.

The cases involve five people living in the same household who recently travelled to Ontario, and have since been told to isolate themselves at home, a provincial news release said.

As of Wednesday, there have been a total of 54 confirmed cases of measles and 27 possible cases reported in Ontario between 2024 and 2025.

The province is notifying people who attended the following locations about the possibility of exposure to the measles virus:

The Sunday school and service at Reinland Mennonite Church in Winkler, Man., on Jan. 26 between 9:15 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. People who attended this location are asked to monitor their symptoms until Feb. 16.
The first floor of the children’s laboratory and waiting rooms of Clinic X and Clinic W at the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg on Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. People who attended this location are asked to monitor their symptoms until Feb. 21.
The orange bison zone Level 1 in and around Guildy’s Eatery and adjacent corridors at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg on Friday from noon to 3 p.m. People who attended this location are asked to monitor their symptoms until Feb. 21.
The fourth floor cardiology clinic and waiting room in the Children’s Hospital at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg on Friday between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. People who attended this location are asked to monitor their symptoms until Feb. 21.

The public health investigation is ongoing and more exposure locations may be added, the provincial government said. People who may have been exposed to the measles virus will be asked to isolate themselves.

Measles is a highly infectious communicable disease that is spread through droplets in the air when a person coughs or sneezes. The virus tends to be more severe for infants and young children, and can be life-threatening, the province said.

People who are infected with measles are not contagious in the first four days following the first exposure, according to the release. Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after an exposure.

The initial symptoms may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes, the province said. Small white spots may also develop on the inside of the mouth or throat.

Several days after the initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and progresses down the body, according to the province. An infected person can spread the virus until four days after the rash appears.

The release said measles can lead to complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and brain inflammation.

Manitobans who develop symptoms are advised to isolate at home and contact their health-care provider of the potential exposure to measles.

Public health is asking anyone who was at Reinland Mennonite Church in Winkler, Man., on Jan. 26 and the specific locations at the Health Sciences Centre during these times to check their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with a measles vaccine — either measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV), the release said.

It is unlikely people born before 1970 or who have ever received a measles vaccine will get the disease, but they should proceed with caution and watch for symptoms of measles until Feb. 16 or Feb. 21, depending on the location they attended, the province said.

Certain people should not get the measles vaccine including infants less than six months old, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems. These people should contact their health-care provider or public health as they may be eligible for preventative treatment, the release said.

Public health officials are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updated information when necessary.