Province braced for spread of measles at winter fair

WINNIPEG — Public health officials in Manitoba, which is responsible for nearly two-thirds of all measles cases in Canada, are bracing for a second potential superspreader event in Brandon, this time at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair during spring break.

The number of cases in Manitoba has been trending upward since the beginning of the year, spurred on by the Manitoba Ag Days event from Jan. 20 to 22, which was also held at Brandon’s Keystone Centre.

“We are still seeing sustained community transmission,” said Dr. Davinder Singh, who is leading the provincial response to the outbreak.

“I don’t foresee the number of cases declining significantly in the coming weeks.”

The latest data from the federal government, which is current as of March 7, show Canada logged 504 confirmed and probable cases this year — including 315 cases in Manitoba. That’s a tad lower than the 332 confirmed and probable cases reported by the Manitoba government during the same period.

After Ag Days, an indoor farm show, the province released a public health bulletin that advised attendees to monitor for symptoms of measles.

The highly contagious disease is characterized by a red, blotchy rash and can result in serious illness or death. It spreads through close personal contact with an infected person, or through droplets in the area when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The doctor stressed it is difficult to say exactly how many cases resulted from Ag Days, which drew up to 35,000 attendees.

“All I can say is that it was very significant and several dozen people almost certainly acquired their infection there, and almost certainly more than we know of,” he said.

The Keystone Centre is slated to host the six-day Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, beginning March 30.

“I would hope that upcoming events, including the winter fair, would not have the same impacts as the Ag Days seemed to have; however, I think that we have to expect there’s a reasonable possibility that it could,” Singh said.

“Just think about the risks and benefits of the things that you do and what your risk tolerance is.”

Tim Rowan, president of the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba, which runs the Brandon events, said organizers are working closely with provincial health officials as they prepare for the winter fair.

“We are in regular contact with Manitoba Health and we are following their guidelines to ensure a safe environment for all guests, volunteers and exhibitors,” Rowan said.

“As the provincial authority on communicable disease management, their direction informs us on our operation decisions.”

Rowan said the fair typically draws around 40,000 to 50,000 people every year. Some exhibitors, particularly those who compete in equestrian events, come from other parts of Canada and the U.S.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett urged the public to heed public health advice and take necessary precautions, including cancelling plans to attend the winter fair if they or their loved ones have measles symptoms.

“Manitoba, for whatever reasons they may be, has this high rate of measles. If you’re attending events and not vaccinated, and you’re not feeling well, please don’t come in,” Fawcett said. “Be conscious of other people, think of other people.”

The mayor described the winter fair as a “great event” and a major attraction in a city known for hospitality and hosting large-scale gatherings.

“I will be at the winter fair every day,” he said.

Singh said anyone who attends large events in the coming months should ensure they are up to date with their measles immunizations. People who have a higher risk of infections should ensure those around them are vaccinated, including parents, guardians and close relatives.

“If you are someone who is at higher risk of a severe infection — so we’re talking about infants under the age of one, pregnant women who are susceptible, or immunocompromised people — they just have to consider the possibility that if they go to an event like this that they could have an exposure.”

Indoor events, particularly those that draw large crowds, pose a higher risk of infection than outdoor gatherings. Immunization is the most effective way to curb the spread of infections and to prevent serious health outcomes when they do occur, Singh said.

In Manitoba, about 84 per cent of measles infections since February 2025 involved people who were not immunized. Thirty-three people — including 20 children younger than 10 — have been hospitalized, and only one of them was vaccinated.

Provincial data show infection rates are higher in rural areas where vaccine uptake is lower, Singh said.

“We see it over and over again. It just shows in so many ways why immunization is so effective or critical in prevention,” Singh said.

“The only permanent way out of this is through people deciding to get immunized who currently have decided not to.”

» Winnipeg Free Press