Manitoba’s monthly measles number reaches three digits for the first time

The number of measles cases in Manitoba continues to jump significantly, with 170 cases recorded in February. CTV’s Harrison Shin reports.

Manitoba is just 71 cases away from reaching the total confirmed measles cases in 2025.

On Friday, the province updated its weekly measles number – with February 2026 reaching three digits for the first time.

Dr. Santina Lee, provincial medical officer of health, said the transmission has been significant over the past year – with some possible super spreader events, such as Ag Days in Brandon in late January.

“In the last couple of weeks, we are continuing to see some other transmission – some of them related to second generation of cases and some that aren’t necessarily tied back to that events that occurred at the end of January,” Lee said Monday.

As of Feb. 28, 248 confirmed cases and 36 probable cases have been recorded since the start of 2026. Of those cases, 170 confirmed and 28 probable happened in February alone.

The total number of cases for 2025 was 319 confirmed and 29 probable.

Among the numbers were 12 cases in pregnant individuals and two cases of congenital measles – a case when a mother passes the disease onto her newborn, which can lead to serious complications, even death.

Dawn Bowdish, immunology professor at McMaster University, said Canada already had two infant deaths due to congenital measles. Even if the babies survive the disease, the aftermath is serious.

“The science shows us that very few of those babies reach their full intellectual potential, because the baby’s brain needs to be focused on growing and developing – not fighting a deadly infection,” Bowdish said.

The disease also has been a worry for some health-care workers.

Dr. Nichelle Desilets, president of Doctors Manitoba, said while the workers are taking precautions and putting patient care at the front – many of them are women of childbearing age.

“We know that measles is of a particular concern when it comes to exposure during pregnancy,” Desilets said. “I’m hearing from people that they’re concerned about what patient assignments they get when they go to work.”

From January 2000 to December 2024, Manitoba had 18 recorded cases. Canada lost its measles-free status in November 2025, and as of March 9, Manitoba has the highest number of cases across the country.