Spike in Winkler-area measles exposures due to low vaccination rates in region, health official says
Southern Health-Santé Sud has the lowest measles immunization rate for children 7 and under: provincial data
A recent string of measles exposures in Winkler, Man., has local health officials and residents concerned about low vaccination rates and possible disease spread.
The province issued its latest measles update on Tuesday, warning the public may have been exposed at the emergency department waiting room at Boundary Trails Health Centre, located between Morden and Winkler.
Anyone who was there on April 27 between 4:11 p.m. and 10:07 p.m. should watch for symptoms until May 19, the health officials said.
Dr. Davinder Singh, a medical officer of health with Southern Health-Santé Sud, the local health region that includes the Winkler-Morden area, says the recent string of exposures coupled with low immunization rates are concerning for local health officials.
"We've had a significant increase in measles cases in April and we've got a large group of people that are concentrated in different communities that are unimmunized and susceptible," Singh said, adding that the southern health region has lower vaccination rates compared to other parts of the province.
The measles vaccine, typically given as part of the combined MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, is a two-dose series. The first is usually recommended around 12 months of age and the second is typically given when the child is four to six years old.
Southern Health-Santé Sud has the lowest measles immunization rate for children at age seven, provincial data shows.
In 2023, about one in three children in the region were unvaccinated against the disease at age two. That year, nearly half were unprotected against measles at age seven.
"Those are the exact type of conditions for measles to spread and to spread quickly because it is very contagious," said Singh, who also works with the province's immunization program.
Across Manitoba, the overall vaccination rate is nearly 80 per cent at age two, and about 65 per cent at age seven, according to the data from Manitoba Health.
Local parent Adina Hamm told CBC News she's worried her kids may be at risk, despite them being vaccinated.
"There are quite a bit of people around this area that don't vaccinate their kids. My kids are vaccinated but I think there's still a risk for my kids, which is a little scary," Hamm said outside the C.W. Wiebe Medical Centre, a recent exposure site.
"We don't want to have another child getting really sick and dying."
Earlier this year, two unvaccinated children died in Texas after contracting measles. Last May, a young unvaccinated child died in Ontario — the first measles death in the province since 1989.
"This is vaccine-preventable," said Singh.
Singh said the recent exposures are actually pushing some vaccine-hesitant residents to roll up their sleeves.
"We are seeing more and more people express interest, and especially as there's more exposures reported and more cases. I think that that increases people's awareness and interest to come to get immunized …" Singh said.
Health care is under provincial jurisdiction and Winkler Mayor Henry Siemens says he's been impressed with how the province has handled measles exposures locally.
"Manitoba Health has done a great job of communicating," Siemens told CBC News.
"Really good, clear communication, very quickly, is key," he said.
Singh was clear in his advice for parents and other concerned residents worried about measles spreading in their community: prevention is key.
"Ideally, we can prevent further cases from occurring and the best way to prevent people from getting measles is to get immunized," Singh said.
As of April 26, the latest data available, Manitoba had seen 10 confirmed cases and four probable cases of measles so far this year.
WATCH | Rise in measles cases sparks concern in Winkler, Man.:
With files from Rosanna Hempel