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Manitoba Measles Surge: Residents Downplay Risks
23 Feb
Summary
- Southern Health region reports over 50 measles cases, the highest in Canada.
- Many Winkler and Morden residents express little concern about the outbreak.
- Vaccination rates for measles are significantly lower in Southern Health.
The Southern Health region in Manitoba is grappling with a significant measles outbreak, reporting over 50 confirmed cases in 2026, a figure that surpasses any other region in Canada. This resurgence of a once-eliminated disease has met with a notable lack of concern among many residents in the Winkler and Morden areas, who often downplay the severity of measles, with some suggesting that recovery naturally confers immunity.
Public health officials are concerned, noting that measles transmission levels remain persistently high in several surrounding rural municipalities. Vaccination rates for measles among school-aged children in the Southern Health region are considerably lower than the provincial average, with only about half of seven-year-olds immunized in 2023, compared to two-thirds statewide. This decline is a stark contrast to the near elimination of measles in Canada prior to November 2025.
Provincial health authorities are not implementing mandates but are focusing on messaging and improving access to vaccinations. The effectiveness of vaccination is underscored by the fact that most hospital admissions for measles in Manitoba since January 2025 involved unvaccinated individuals. Health experts are advising caution regarding large gatherings, especially for those unvaccinated or in high-risk groups, following exposures at major events.
