Manitoba reports 7 more measles cases from last week

Seven more measles cases were confirmed in Manitoba during the second week of June, the province reported in its weekly update Wednesday.

The change brings the total number of confirmed measles cases reported this month to 14, with another four cases deemed probable.

The most current data available only goes to June 14.

Altogether, there have been 105 confirmed and eight probable measles cases in the province this year. In May alone, Manitoba reported 72 measles cases, amid an outbreak of the virus across Canada that began in October 2024.

The highly contagious virus spreads through droplets formed in the air when coughing or sneezing, and an infected person can spread the virus from four days before the measles rash appears until four days after that.

Measles symptoms generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure, and may include a fever, runny nose, drowsiness and red eyes. Small white spots can also appear on the inside of the mouth or throat, the province said.

Immunization is the only way to protect people from contracting measles, health officials say. 

The MMR vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chickenpox) is routinely given after kids turn one, with a second shot given at age four to six in Manitoba. If a child is exposed to measles, the second dose can be given earlier.

The province recently expanded vaccine eligibility to start at six months for children who were evacuated from their communities because of wildfires and who may be staying in southern Manitoba, where there have been measles outbreaks.

Manitoba has also expanded eligibility for vaccines to infants as young as six months old living in the Southern Health region and the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority area.