Public health officials are notifying the public of five confirmed cases of measles in southern Manitoba, all connected to an outbreak in Ontario.

These cases involve five individuals living within the same household, all of whom were contacts of lab-confirmed cases while recently traveling in Ontario. The individuals have been asked to isolate at home.

As of Jan. 29, 81 cases - 54 confirmed and 27 probable - of measles have been reported in Ontario in 2024 and 2025.

People who were at the following locations are being notified of the possibility of having been exposed to measles virus:

• Reinland Mennonite Church in Winkler – Sunday school and main service, Jan. 26.
• Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg – first floor children’s laboratory and waiting rooms of Clinic X and Clinic W; Orange Bison Zone Level 1 in and around Guildy’s Eatery and adjacent corridors; and the fourth floor cardiology clinic and waiting room in Children’s Hospital, Jan. 31.

The public health investigation is ongoing and additional exposure locations may be added. As more contacts are identified, individuals may be asked to isolate and consider vaccination.

Public health is asking anyone who was in these locations during these times to check their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with a measles vaccine, either measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV).

It is unlikely people born before 1970 or who have ever received a measles vaccine will get the disease.

However, as a precaution, watch for symptoms of measles. To learn the symptoms of measles and what to do, visit gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/measles.html.

If symptoms develop, Manitobans are advised to isolate at home and contact their health-care provider and advise them of the potential exposure to measles.

It is best to call ahead so health-care staff can take steps to reduce the exposure of other people to the virus.

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).

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.