Manitoba reports high respiratory virus activity and rising measles cases

Manitoba's chief public health officer said the province is seeing unusually high respiratory illness activity with about 3,000 emergency and urgent-care presentations, and a measles outbreak with 393 confirmed and 37 probable cases since February 2025.

Manitoba's health system is reporting unusually high respiratory illness activity this season, with emergency and urgent-care presentations rising to roughly 3,000, the province's chief public health officer said. The provincial RSV surveillance report shows 3,309 cases so far this flu season. Health officials also reported a measles outbreak with 393 confirmed and 37 probable cases since February 2025. Officials said a large exposure at the Ag Days event in late January has contributed to recent spread. Known details: - Emergency and urgent-care presentations increased to roughly 3,000, according to the chief public health officer. - The provincial RSV surveillance report lists 3,309 cases so far this flu season. - There are 393 confirmed and 37 probable measles cases reported since February 2025, with more than 30 new cases linked to an Ag Days exposure. - The province is expanding measles vaccine eligibility to children aged six months and up in the Prairie Mountain and Southern Health regions and for people frequently in contact with residents of those areas. Summary: The rise in respiratory and measles cases has increased demand on emergency and urgent-care services and prompted regional changes to vaccine eligibility. Undetermined at this time.