Manitoba public health officials say a Portage la Prairie business is among several new locations where people may have been exposed to measles in recent days, as the province continues to see a sharp rise in cases.
According to Manitoba Health, a potential exposure occurred at Homestead Co-op on Saskatchewan Avenue West in Portage la Prairie on Feb. 28 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The Portage location is one of five sites identified in the province’s latest measles exposure update. Other locations include the Morden Adult Education Centre in Morden, Eric Coy Arena, Joy Fountain Church and J.H. Bruns Collegiate in Winnipeg.
Related stories:
Public health is asking anyone who was at those locations during the specified times to check their immunization records and ensure they are up to date with the measles vaccine.
The warning comes as Manitoba continues to see a significant increase in measles activity. Provincial data show 215 confirmed cases and 22 probable cases have already been reported in the first two months of 2026. By comparison, the entire year of 2025 saw 319 confirmed and 29 probable cases.
Most cases involve unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children, according to provincial data.
People who are not immunized and may have been exposed could be eligible for preventative treatment if they seek care within six days of the exposure and are encouraged to contact a health-care provider.
Anyone born in 1970 or later who has never received a measles vaccine and has never had measles is advised to get vaccinated and reduce contact with others, particularly people who are unimmunized or have weakened immune systems, from the fifth day after exposure until 21 days after the latest possible exposure.
Symptoms of measles typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure and may include fever, runny nose, red eyes and irritability. Small white spots can appear inside the mouth before a red blotchy rash develops on the face and spreads down the body.
Health officials say measles is highly contagious, spreading through coughing or sneezing. An infected person can pass the virus to others from four days before the rash appears until four days after.
Anyone who develops symptoms and believes they may have been exposed is advised to stay home and contact their health-care provider, calling ahead so clinics can take precautions to prevent further spread.
The province continues to monitor the outbreak and updates measles case counts and exposure sites online each week.