Manitoba Health has announced two new confirmed cases of measles in the Southern Health-Santé Sud region with recent international travel to Mexico.
In a news release issued Wednesday evening, it was also announced the individuals both attended Southwood School in Schanzenfeld in the Garden Valley School Division during the infectious period.
"Public health is communicating directly with the school to notify staff, volunteers and families of students who attend the school and/or who ride the school bus, to provide advice specific to their exposure," stated the release. "All families of students, school staff and volunteers will be receiving letters with this information."
Public health officials continue to monitor the situation, and will provide updated information as necessary.
Meanwhile, individuals who think they may have been exposed in the following locations but have not been directly notified, are being asked to contact Health Links-Info Santé at 1-888-315-9257:
Previous to these two most recent confirmed cases, there was one confirmed Manitoba case in March and five in February. The five cases in February were also from Southern Manitoba, and were all connected to an outbreak in Ontario. These cases involved five individuals living within the same household, all of whom were contacts of lab-confirmed cases while recently traveling in Ontario.
According to Health Canada's measles and rubella monitoring report, through April 5th, 2025 there have been 880 measles cases reported across the country with 748 confirmed and 132 probable. So far this year Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan have all reported at least once case.
Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 21 days after exposure. Initial symptoms may include 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 appears on the face and progresses down the body. Measles can lead to complications including ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia (lung infection) and encephalitis (brain inflammation).
Immunization is the only means of protecting people from contracting measles.
For general information on measles, including immunization, visit here.