Over 30 measles cases linked to Ag Days

More than 30 measles cases have been linked to last month’s Ag Days in Brandon, Manitoba’s top doctor said Thursday.

Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, said 12 cases were confirmed on Monday alone that traced back to Canada’s largest indoor farm show, held at the Keystone Centre from Jan. 20 to 22.

“That was our highest number at any point during this outbreak,” Roussin said at a news conference in Winnipeg on Thursday.

“If you bring a lot of people together in that same room over days, and you have people who are still susceptible, those people who are unvaccinated, something like measles is going to spread to a high number of people.”

Although most measles cases are occurring in the Southern Health-Santé Sud region, the province is seeing an increased transmission in Prairie Mountain Health because of the large exposure at Manitoba Ag Days.

“Attending these large events if you’re unvaccinated is putting you at increased risk of being exposed to measles,” Roussin said.

Every infected individual could pass on the highly contagious disease to 10 other people, but the rate of transmission is difficult to measure because it depends on the circumstances and varies by region, he said.

There have been 393 total confirmed cases of measles with 37 probable ones in Manitoba since February last year, with 74 confirmed cases and eight probable cases detected in 2026 so far.

The province updates the number of measles cases every Friday online.

Roussin said he could not confirm how many cases have been detected in Prairie Mountain Health in total.

Other measles exposure sites that have been identified in the city include the Brandon Regional Health Centre’s emergency department waiting room (from Feb. 5-7) and the Brandon University Healthy Living Centre, the Corral Centre Liquor Mart and Boston Pizza on Richmond Avenue (on Feb. 5).

Vaccines are the most effective protection against viruses such as measles, he said, adding that the province’s goal is to make the vaccine accessible to all Manitobans.

Manitoba public health has expanded the vaccine eligibility for infants aged six months to under 12 months in the Prairie Mountain Health region, Roussin said.

Vaccine eligibility had already been expanded in May 2025 for infants in that age category who reside or frequently travel to the Southern Health-Santé Sud and Interlake Eastern regional health authorities.

“We’re really highlighting the need for everyone to take as much precaution as possible,” Roussin said.

Kristen Phillips, Manitoba Ag Days general manager, previously told the Sun the event had 35,000 total attendees that included people from across Canada, North and South Dakota and Germany.

Mayor Jeff Fawcett said measles wasn’t a major concern for people in Brandon up until the cases at Ag Days because most people in the community are vaccinated.

“So, if you have big events bringing people from all over the place and … this goes for everywhere, you hope that everybody there has taken the same responsibility that historically we have and has gotten themselves vaccinated on a known vaccination that can alleviate measles,” Fawcett said.

People who have symptoms for measles should “stay away from large events,” he said, adding that the city will continue to take any directions on safety guidelines from public health.

The province is not currently considering mandating the measles vaccine, but Roussin advises parents with young children and babies to ensure family and friends around them are vaccinated to protect their health.

“If you’re living in an area that has, you know, significant level of transmission, then you’re going to want to be a bit cautious on where you are. Large events, you know, there’s going to be increased risk of transmission there,” he said.

Since February 2025, a total of 22 people have been hospitalized for measles, with 16 being children under the age of 10, according to data from public health.

“What’s really concerning about those is that we know that pretty much all those are 100 per cent preventable, and that’s the challenge there,” Roussin said.

Measles spreads through close personal contact with an infected person who can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears until four days after. It can also be spread through droplets in the air when a person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms may appear seven to 21 days after exposure.

Early signs can include a fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability and red eyes. Small white spots may also develop on the inside of the mouth or throat.

Several days after the initial symptoms, a red blotchy rash will appear on the face and progress to the torso and limbs. Measles can lead to complications such as ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia and encephalitis (brain inflammation).

Anyone who thinks they’ve been exposed to measles should check their immunization records to see if they’ve been updated, Roussin said.

Individuals who develop symptoms should stay home, avoid public spaces and call ahead before seeking medical care to ensure appropriate precautions are taken for an assessment, he added.

He said he’s not aware of any staffing issues related to measles in health-care facilities and staff are not required to be vaccinated against measles, but it’s encouraged.

A spokesperson for Prairie Mountain Health said it has protocals in place to manage measles cases across all of its sites that have been in effect for several months.

“These include infection prevention measures, screening processes and clear clinical pathways to support safe care for patients while minimizing the risk of transmission,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

“All staff have been advised to ensure their measles vaccinations are up to date through staff meetings, regional communication, posters and our staff newsletter.”

Although facilities aren’t seeing an increased demand for beds related to patients with measles, “it does put a strain on the system,” Roussin said.

People can speak to a health-care provider if they have questions about their eligibility for the measles vaccine, including those who have recently moved to Manitoba and are unsure of their immunization status.

Roussin said it’s “very rare” to see a person who has two had doses of the vaccine contract measles, and that they make up only about five per cent of cases.

Manitoba is seeing the highest level of transmission it has seen in decades, Roussin said.

“You don’t see this virus being transmitted widely through Winnipeg or areas that have higher rates of vaccine (uptake) and that tells us … how beneficial that vaccine can be,” he said.

He said public health officials continue to closely monitor measles activity and respond according to established protocols, which include case management, contact tracing and reporting to exposure sites.

» tadamski@brandonsun.com