Measles Outbreak Ignored by Many in Winkler-Morden Area
Despite the alarming rise in measles cases in the Winkler and Morden region, a significant portion of residents remain unperturbed by the outbreak, as revealed by a recent CBC News survey.
The Southern Health region, encompassing these Manitoba cities, has recorded more measles cases in 2026 than any other area in the country, with over 50 confirmed instances, according to Health Canada's latest data (https://health-infobase.canada.ca/measles-rubella/).
The resurgence of a highly contagious disease, once eradicated through vaccination in Canada, has not elicited widespread concern from the locals.
"I believe people are exaggerating the issue," Maddy Friesen, who is unaware of anyone affected, remarked near a mall in Winkler, located approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Winnipeg.
"Contracting it is unpleasant, but what can you do? You catch it, recover, develop antibodies, and you're fine."
Measles was a topic that most individuals in Winkler avoided discussing.
Deputy Mayor Andrew Froese stated that life has not significantly changed unless one is infected or works in healthcare.
"Frankly, I don't hear much about it outside the healthcare sector. In our daily lives here in Winkler, there might be some conversations in coffee shops, but it's not a prevalent topic, I'd say," Froese explained.
People in the city adhere to public health guidelines but generally remain unconcerned, he added.
"We don't often see what's happening in the hospital. We observe what's occurring in our workplaces or public spaces, and for myself, I don't witness it frequently," Froese noted.
"So when cases are reported, we're sometimes a bit surprised."
CBC News also contacted the mayor of neighboring Morden, but Nancy Penner's office declined to comment on the issue.
As of this week, provincial data indicates that there have been 27 measles hospitalizations in Manitoba since the province first notified the public of an exposure in Winkler in January 2025 (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/southern-manitoba-potential-measles-exposure-1.7450581).
Two of these patients required intensive care, and 18 were under 10 years old.
Dr. Eleni Galanis, the director general for emerging and respiratory infections and pandemic preparedness at the Public Health Agency of Canada, explained that most measles cases result in symptoms like a rash, fever, red eyes, and mouth spots, followed by recovery.
"However, a small percentage can develop severe infections, necessitating hospitalization due to pneumonia or brain inflammation, which can lead to long-term complications such as deafness and blindness," Galanis stated.
Manitoba's Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, identified five rural municipalities within the Southern Health Region, all experiencing high measles transmission rates: Stanley, Rhineland, Thompson, Dufferin, and Roland.
Business as Usual
Winkler, with a population of nearly 14,000 (2021 census), and Morden, with over 9,000 residents, are surrounded by the rural municipality of Stanley and serve as urban centers for the area affected by the outbreak.
At the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden, director Adolfo Cuetara has been closely monitoring measles updates for his city, but visitors are either unaware of the outbreak or not concerned.
The center set attendance records last year with nearly 16,000 paid visits, but Cuetara fears this might not continue if the area maintains high measles rates.
The city has received more attention for its fossils and related science than for the measles, he noted.
"We need to maintain that focus."
However, the outbreak shows no signs of abating, with area municipalities reporting 27 confirmed measles cases in three weeks this year. Provincial health experts estimate the actual number of infections to be ten times higher.
Strained Hospitals
When measles patients visit healthcare centers, isolation protocols are implemented to contain the disease.
"Anyone presenting with measles is directed to an airborne isolation room or a room with a door that can be closed at all times," said Margo Singleton, an infection prevention practitioner at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach, part of the Southern Health region.
The room must be cleaned and have its air exchanged before reuse, as the measles virus can linger in the air or on surfaces for hours.
These protocols impact available space at places like the Boundary Trails Health Centre, the region's major hospital, which has reported seven exposure incidents since January 19.
To protect staff and patients, public health officials advise people to call ahead if they suspect measles.
"We can try to have an isolation room ready or come out to the car, which is what we've been doing," Singleton explained.
Public health officials emphasize that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles, a measure that contributed to Canada's measles elimination status from 1998 until its loss in November.
In the latest outbreak, 26 out of 27 hospitalized Manitoba measles patients were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, according to the province (https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/measles.html).
Since January 2025, 520 confirmed measles cases have been reported in Manitoba, with 440 (85%) involving unvaccinated individuals, and another 25 (5%) with unknown vaccination status.
Vaccine Uptake Lower
Vaccination rates among school-aged children in Southern Health are declining and significantly lower than the provincial average (https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveillance/immunization/index.html).
In 2023, two-thirds of seven-year-olds in Manitoba were immunized against measles, compared to half in Southern Health.
In 2015, 74% of seven-year-olds in Southern Health were immunized against measles.
Manitoba's top doctor, Dr. Roussin, stated that the province is not employing mandates or restrictions to halt the outbreak.
"We will continue to rely on messaging, access, and building trust between healthcare workers and individuals in high-risk areas," Roussin said.
Promotions for Morden's Winterfest event and a country and gospel concert in Winkler did not mention measles.
The province lacks official guidelines for large events.
However, after a January measles exposure at Ag Days in Brandon, resulting in dozens of confirmed cases, and another exposure at a Winnipeg Jets game, the province issued a warning.
"Sharing the same airspace as someone with measles poses a transmission risk," Roussin warned.
"Therefore, our messaging is clear: if you're not vaccinated, especially if you're high-risk or around high-risk individuals, you must consider the risks of attending large gatherings."
As part of its vaccination outreach last spring, Southern Health held an immunization clinic at the kindergarten to Grade 3 Southwood School in Schanzenfeld, six kilometers south of Winkler.
Dan Ward, the superintendent of the Winkler-area Garden Valley School Division, did not respond to an interview request but mentioned in an email that the division collaborates with Southern Health to notify at-risk families and staff and sent a measles information letter to students.
Message Not Reaching All
Some individuals at Winkler's mall were unaware of the outbreak.
Graham Thiessen, visiting from Alberta, was unaware of the outbreak.
Other visitors to the mall also expressed surprise at the outbreak.
Michael DePauw, from Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, about 60 kilometers northwest of Winkler, had not heard about the measles outbreak but was vaccinated.
DePauw expressed concern about low vaccination rates.
"They believe it's their right to choose, but it affects everyone's health, as their personal choice impacts others," he said.
"In a society with inadequate immunization, no one is effectively immune as they should be."
"In the past, everyone received immunizations at school and that was it."
