Key Takeaways
- Manitoba declared the outbreak over effective October 16, 2026, after the last laboratory-confirmed case was identified in August.
- The province recorded 1,038 cases, 52 hospitalisations and six intensive care admissions, with no deaths reported.
- Temporary vaccine eligibility for some infants during the outbreak has ended, and routine immunisation guidance now applies.
Manitoba Declares Measles Outbreak Over After 1,038 Cases and 52 Hospitalisations
Manitoba has declared its measles outbreak over effective October 16, 2026, after the last laboratory-confirmed case was identified in August. Officials are warning residents not to mistake the end of an outbreak for the disappearance of measles.
More Than 1,000 Cases Reported
Since the outbreak was first reported in 2025, Manitoba recorded 1,038 measles cases, including 931 confirmed and 107 probable cases. Public health officials reported 52 related hospitalisations, including six admissions to intensive care. No deaths were reported.
The impact extended beyond the overall case count. Half of those hospitalised were children under 10, while the province also recorded 21 cases among pregnant individuals and four cases of congenital measles. Officials said 87 per cent of reported cases involved people who were unimmunised or whose vaccination status was unknown.
What Changes After the Outbreak?
The declaration brings a change to vaccination eligibility. Temporary outbreak-related criteria that allowed children aged six months to under 12 months in affected regions to receive an early measles vaccine dose are no longer in effect. Manitoba says children should return to the routine immunisation schedule, which recommends the first dose at 12 months of age or older.
The province also reported that around 15 per cent more Manitobans received measles vaccines in 2025 than in 2024, indicating increased uptake during the outbreak period.
TwikUp's Perspective
An outbreak declaration is an important milestone, but it should not create a false sense of security. Manitoba says measles transmission remains high in some parts of the world, with outbreaks continuing in the United States. Travel and exposure can therefore remain relevant even after local transmission has subsided.
Manitobans are encouraged to ensure their measles immunizations are up to date, recognize the symptoms of measles and know what to do if they develop symptoms or believe they may have been exposed.