Manitoba Measles Alert: New Cases Emerge

Manitoba health authorities are alerting the public to a concerning rise in measles cases, with a dozen new confirmed infections and two probable cases reported across the province. This adds to the 290 confirmed and 25 probable cases recorded since February, according to the latest provincial health data updated on December 13th. Due to the holiday season, updated figures will resume in January.

Recent public exposure to measles is a significant concern, with health officials identifying potential contact at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre's emergency waiting room in Steinbach on December 14th. Individuals who were present between 2 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. are advised to monitor for symptoms until January 5th, a period extending beyond the typical one to three weeks after exposure.

Measles, a highly contagious airborne illness, can lead to severe complications. Health officials emphasize that vaccination, specifically the MMR or MMRV vaccine, is the only effective preventive measure. Manitoba provides a routine two-dose vaccination program for children, with options for earlier administration if exposed to the virus.