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Parents and guardians in Manitoba have received a warning from public health officials ahead of spring break vacations and Easter holidays, asking them to consider measles risks while travelling or attending large gatherings.
The letter, sent by school divisions on Friday and signed by Manitoba Health communicable disease prevention officials Richard Baydack and Santina Lee, encouraged parents to stay home and avoid travel or events if they think their child has measles.
They also said caregivers who suspect their child has measles and plan to take them to urgent or emergency care should notify the facility immediately on arrival so staff can take steps to protect others.
A spokesperson for the province said the letter was sent out to the entire kindergarten to Grade 12 and early learning and child care sector on Friday. It came with instructions for schools to forward the letter to all parents/guardians, staff and volunteers.
CBC News accessed one sent out by the Pembina Trails School Division in Winnipeg.
Parents with questions about measles are encouraged to contact their health-care provider or Health Links at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 elsewhere in Manitoba, the letter said.
Manitoba has seen more measles cases than any other area of the country this year, with the province accounting for about 60 per cent of all cases reported across Canada so far in 2026, according to federal data updated on Monday that covers up to March 14.
The number of confirmed and suspected measles cases in Manitoba has already surpassed 2025’s total within the first 2 ½ months of 2026.
Provincial data updated on Friday shows there have been 319 confirmed cases and 45 probable cases this year as of March 14.
Manitoba public health officials also warned Monday that anyone who was at the Victoria Hospital emergency department waiting room in Winnipeg on Friday, March 20, between 5:10 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., may have been exposed to measles.
The province says anyone who is unimmunized and has been exposed to measles is encouraged to speak with their medical provider to see if they’re eligible for preventative treatment, offered within six days of an exposure.
Treatment for measles tends to focus on relieving symptoms, which may include a cough, runny nose, fever, drowsiness and red eyes. Small white spots may develop inside the mouth or throat, typically within three days of an infection, along with a red, blotchy rash.
People who have measles are infectious for about four days before that rash shows up and another four days after it appears.
The disease spreads through droplets that form in the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. It can linger in the air for two hours.
