A year has passed since the initial measles outbreak in Manitoba, and the situation remains dire. Despite efforts to curb the spread, the highly contagious disease continues to pose a significant challenge.
Dr. Davinder Singh, a medical officer with Southern Health, describes the past year as "very busy." The region has seen the majority of Manitoba's measles cases, with a total of 371 confirmed and 32 probable cases reported as of January 24.
The outbreak began in February 2025, and case numbers surged in the following months, peaking in May with 72 infections. Although cases dropped during the fall, they are now rising again, with 51 confirmed infections so far this year.
Michelle Driedger, a community health professor at the University of Manitoba, emphasizes the ongoing challenge: "It's signalling that there's still a struggle in Manitoba to address these growing cases."
Approximately eight out of every ten measles cases in Manitoba have been reported in Southern Health, according to Singh. He believes that the outbreak could be over within a month or six weeks if everyone who is not immunized and susceptible chooses to get vaccinated.
Southern Health has a lower measles vaccination rate compared to other parts of the province. Most patients who contract the virus are from areas with the lowest immunization rates, Singh explains.
The health region has been actively promoting vaccination over the past year, but it hasn't been an easy task. Early signals indicate that measles, one of the world's most contagious yet preventable diseases, may be spreading in parts of Canada.
Most people who are not immunized express concerns about vaccine safety or believe the virus is not severe enough to warrant immunization. The vast majority of measles cases in Manitoba, 85.6%, have occurred in individuals who are not immunized against the illness.
Singh highlights the extreme safety of the measles vaccine, with very rare risks. However, misinformation continues to spread, making it challenging to change people's perceptions through advertising campaigns alone.
Health officials are collaborating with the education system and family doctors to disseminate accurate information. Southern Health has also been discussing immunization during family sessions, including prenatal and postpartum care programming, to address concerns about the measles vaccine.
The burden of measles infections extends beyond the healthcare system. Emergency departments are already busy, and administrative units are also strained. With each positive case, healthcare officials must conduct contact tracing to identify where the virus has circulated and alert the public.
Singh's biggest concern is the unnecessary illness and suffering caused by the outbreak. He emphasizes that it is entirely preventable due to the availability of an effective vaccine.
Since the outbreak began, 22 people have been hospitalized in Manitoba for measles, with two requiring treatment in an intensive care unit. Of those hospitalized, 16 were children under the age of ten, who are among the most vulnerable to severe measles complications.
Driedger believes that health authorities are doing their best to increase immunization rates. Last year, measles vaccination eligibility was extended to children as young as six months in Southern Health. This initiative has resulted in 2,078 infants between six and twelve months receiving a dose of the measles vaccine.
Driedger's research on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in the region suggests that increasing immunization availability does not necessarily lead to increased vaccination rates. She emphasizes the importance of local health providers delivering public health messages about vaccines, as primary care providers, including doctors, have been having direct conversations with their patients about the COVID-19 vaccine.
"There was a greater willingness to listen because it was coming from people who also lived in the community," she said.
Conversations are key, Driedger emphasizes, not only for COVID-19 but also for the measles outbreak. She believes that having open conversations ensures that the door remains open for further discussion and potential vaccine acceptance.
Kyle Penner, co-pastor of Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach, part of the Southern Health region, has been navigating vaccine hesitancy within his congregation. Some congregants view not getting vaccinated as a sign of trust in God.
"To that, I say, when my kids were little, I tested the water before giving them a bath. I still wear seatbelts," Penner said. "I wouldn't use vaccination as a test of our faithfulness to God."
Penner emphasizes the importance of handling conversations about the measles vaccine without shame or blame. He believes in establishing a sense of unity and shared goals to address vaccine hesitancy.
"We all just need a little time to heal and remember that those who choose differently are still good people," he added.
