Public health officials with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care are notifying the public of one new measles exposure site in southern Manitoba. Anyone at the following location on the specified date and times is asked to monitor for symptoms until the identified date:
Emerado Centennial School at 675 Prairie View Dr., Winkler, on Oct. 29 from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monitor symptoms until Nov. 20.
Public health is also asking anyone who was at this location during the specified times to check their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV).
For individuals who were exposed at this location and were born in 1970 or later, and have never received a measles vaccine and have never had a measles infection:
Measles vaccine is recommended.
Reduce exposures with others, especially anyone who has a weakened immune system or is unimmunized, from the fifth day after exposure to the 21st day after the latest exposure.
Watch for symptoms of measles until the date that corresponds with their situation as indicated above.
Certain people should not get the measles vaccine including infants less than six months of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. These individuals should contact their health-care provider or public health as they may be eligible for preventative treatment (within six days of exposure).
Close contacts may be asked by public health to isolate and consider vaccination.
In 2025 to date, Manitoba has reported 247 confirmed measles cases and 16 probable cases. Of the total cases, 87 percent of the cases were unvaccinated and 3 percent undervaccinated.
16 people required hospitalization for their illness, including 2 cases requiring intensive care.
13 of the hospitalizations were in young children (under the age of 10) and all the hospitalizations were unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status.
To put the 2025 measles count in perspective, from January 2000 to January 2025, 18 measles cases were reported in Manitoba.
Measles is a highly infectious communicable disease that is spread through droplets in the air formed when coughing or sneezing. An infected person can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears until four days after. The disease tends to be more severe in infants and young children and can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Initial symptoms may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. 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. Measles can lead to complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation).
In 2025, a total of 5,138 measles cases (4,777 confirmed, 361 probable) have been reported by 10 jurisdictions (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan), as of October 25, 2025.