Province flags 20 more exposure sites in city

The province has identified 20 new measles exposure sites in Brandon as public health officials investigate “dozens” of cases linked to last month’s Manitoba Ag Days.

The new exposure sites are mostly businesses, but high traffic areas like Brandon’s Shoppers Mall, the pool at the Brandon Community Sportsplex and a couple of medical clinics were also listed in Thursday’s media bulletin.

Public health officials have also identified exposure sites in other parts of Westman, with one in the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis, two in Dauphin, two in Neepawa, one in Virden and three in the Municipality of Brenda-Waskada, the bulletin said.

Despite the large number of sites, a spokesperson for Prairie Mountain Health said it has seen “very few” hospital admissions or patients presenting at the ER for treatment for active measles-related symptoms.

“However, PMH has processes in place throughout the region to manage clients with symptoms attending to health centres as well as processes that require additional precautions including isolation and testing,” the spokesperson said.

People who were at these locations in Brandon on Feb. 4 between specified hours should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 26:

• Shoppers Mall on 18th Street from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• A&L Cycle at 201 Rosser Ave. from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Obermaier’s Sausage & Meats Ltd. at 222 Rosser Ave. from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Westman Regional Laboratory at the Brandon Regional Health Centre from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Booster Juice at 1212 18th St. from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

• Western Nations Gas Bar on 18th Street North from 10:30 a.m. 12:50 p.m.

• RBC Royal Bank at 661 18th St. from 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Ficek Insurance at 1439 First St. from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Western Medical Clinic at 2425 Victoria Ave. from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

People who were at these locations in Brandon on Feb. 3 between specified hours should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 25:

• Anytime Fitness at 3000 Victoria Ave. from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

• Shoppers Drug Mart at Shoppers Mall on 18th Street from 8:25 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.

• Rocky Mountain Equipment at site 520 on Highway 10 North from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

People who were at these locations in Brandon on Feb. 2 between specified hours should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 24:

• The food court in Shoppers Mall on 18th Street from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

• Miller’s Pharmacy at Unit A — 624 18th St. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Newmount Medical Clinic at Unit B — 624 18th St. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

People who were at these locations in Brandon on Feb. 1 between specified hours should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 23:

• The Chilli Chutney at 555 34th St. from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Brandon Community Sportsplex pool at 30 Knowlton Dr. from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Sobeys West End at 3409 Victoria Ave. from noon to 3 p.m.

• Shoppers Drug Mart at 139 Victoria Ave. East from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

As well, anyone who went to Denray Tire at 320 Park Ave. East on Jan. 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 22.

Other measles exposure sites that were previously 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.

People who were at these locations should continue to monitor for symptoms from Feb. 27 to March 1, respectively.

In the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis, AgWest Ltd. at 1 Rusty Way was identified as an exposure site. Anyone who was there on Feb. 2-3 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Feb. 4 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. should monitor for symptoms from Feb. 24-27, respectively.

In Dauphin, anyone who was in the laboratory and X-ray department waiting room at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre on Feb. 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. should monitor symptoms until March 3.

Those who went to MNP LLP at 32 Second Ave. SW in Dauphin on Feb. 4-5 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Feb. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. should watch for symptoms until Feb. 26-28, respectively.

In Neepawa, people who were in the emergency department waiting room at the Neepawa Health Centre from Feb. 6 at 9:50 p.m. to Feb. 7 at 12:15 a.m. should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 28 and March 1.

Those who were at the Neepawa Home Hardware Building Centre at 142 Main St. West on Feb. 3 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 25.

In Virden, the province has identified the common area of the Sherwood Nursing Home at 223 Hargrave St. East as an exposure site. People who were at this location on Feb. 5 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. should monitor for symptoms until Feb. 27.

In the Municipality of Brenda-Waskada, three exposure sites on Feb. 4 have been identified. These include Waskada Community Foods from 4:40 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunrise Credit Union from 4:30 p.m. 6:45 p.m. and the Waskada Post Office from 4 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

People at these locations between the specified times should watch for symptoms until Feb. 26.

Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, announced Thursday that the province was expanding vaccine eligibility for infants aged six months to under 12 months in the Prairie Mountain Health region.

Dr. Anna Johnston, medical officer of health for Prairie Mountain Health, said in a statement that it’s important for people with symptoms to stay home when sick and to call a health-care facility before arriving for testing, so staff can prepare and prevent exposing the disease to others.

There have been 438 total confirmed cases of measles with 39 probable ones in Manitoba since February last year, with 119 confirmed cases and 10 probable cases detected in 2026 so far, according to updated provincial data on Friday.

The province said 24 people have been hospitalized, including 17 children under the age of 10 since February 2025.

The province warns that any large event taking place in Manitoba within the next few months should be considered a potential measles exposure site.

People at high risk of severe complications from measles, such as infants less than 12 months old, pregnant individuals who aren’t immunized and those with weakened immune systems should consider the possibility of being exposed to measles before deciding whether to attend large gatherings, the province said.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through droplets in the air formed when coughing or sneezing. An infected person can spread the virus from four days before the rash appears until four days after.

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).

» tadamski@brandonsun.com