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The total number of measles cases in Manitoba during the first 2½ months of 2026 is already higher than in all of 2025, when the first serious outbreak in decades began.
There were 28 new confirmed cases and three probable cases of measles detected as of March 14, Friday’s latest weekly public health update stated.
That brings the number of confirmed cases this year to 319 and probable cases to 45 — or 364 combined, which exceeds 2025 totals, the province’s data says. There were 348 total cases in all of last year — 319 confirmed cases and 29 probable cases.
The number of hospitalizations this year is 34, up by one since last week’s public health update.
Manitoba Public Health also released a list of seven potential exposure sites from earlier this week.
Most of them were in Winnipeg on Monday, with one exception: Boundary Trails Health Centre’s emergency department, near Winkler, had a possible exposure between 6:45 a.m. and 6:10 p.m. Tuesday.
There was another at St. Vital Family Medical Clinic at 1087 St. Mary’s Rd. in Winnipeg between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
There were five possible exposures in Winnipeg on Monday, including one at J.H. Bruns Collegiate between 8:20 a.m. and 5 p.m. and one at Grenkow Dental at 3324 Portage Ave. between 10:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
Prairie Endodontics at 271 Madison St. was another possible exposure site between 10:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., while someone with measles was at the Winnipeg Orofacial Health Centre, at 107-147 Provencher Blvd., between 4:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday.
The Shoppers Drug Mart at 43 Marion St. in St. Boniface was also potentially exposed to measles between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
One of the most significant exposure sites this year was at Brandon Ag Days in January, which was linked with more than 30 cases.
The western Manitoba city is hosting an event later this month that is expected to attract 40,000 people. Brandon’s mayor says he’s confident in the city’s ability to hold its Royal Manitoba Winter Fair event safely, while a medical officer of health with the Southern Health region has raised concerns.
Past exposure locations are listed on the province’s website.
Manitoba remains the measles hot spot in the country, with more than twice as many confirmed cases this year than the province with the second-highest numbers, federal government health data shows.
There were only 18 cases of measles provincewide between 2000 and 2024, according to the Manitoba government.
People who were at an exposure site are encouraged to speak with their medical provider to see if they’re eligible for preventative treatment, offered within six days of an exposure.
Treatment for measles tends to focus on relieving symptoms. There is no cure.
Symptoms may include a cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis (pink eye), fever and malaise. Another telltale sign is white spots that form inside the mouth typically within three days of an infection, along with a rash that may be painful.
Those with measles are infectious for about four days before that rash shows up and another four days after it forms.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, talks or sneezes.