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Manitoba Battles Rising Meningitis: What You Need to Know
31 Mar
Summary
- Manitoba sees a significant rise in meningitis cases since 2023.
- Most cases are linked to the W strain of meningococcal disease.
- Vaccine eligibility was expanded to younger children for four strains.
Manitoba public health is confronting a growing number of meningitis cases, with a notable increase observed since 2023. This trend has raised concerns among health officials, who highlight the severe nature of bacterial meningitis and its potential for fatalities and lasting neurological complications. The majority of these recent cases have been associated with the W strain of meningococcal disease.
Historically, Manitoba reported around six meningitis cases annually. However, this number significantly increased to 12 in 2023, followed by 25 in 2024, and 24 in 2025. So far in 2026, two cases have been confirmed in January and February. In response to this rising incidence, Manitoba has expanded vaccine eligibility, now offering children protection against four strains (A, C, Y, and W) at one year old, a change from the previous Grade 6 requirement.
While routine vaccinations cover several strains, they do not include protection against type B meningococcal disease, which is linked to the current outbreak in the UK. Vaccines for type B are available and used for high-risk individuals or after contact tracing, but they are not part of the routine schedule due to current epidemiological patterns in Manitoba. Health experts stress that meningitis is transmittable through close contact and respiratory secretions, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and response efforts.
