Manitoba Health Issues Urgent Warning: Measles Exposure at Major Farm Show
February 8, 2026
BRANDON, MANITOBA - Manitoba's health authorities are urging everyone who attended Manitoba Ag Days, billed as Canada's premier indoor farm show, to be vigilant for measles symptoms this week. The health agency warns that exposure to the disease could have occurred before, during, and after the three-day event held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, located west of Winnipeg, in late January.
The agency further advises that individuals who visited nearby tourist spots like hotels, restaurants, and shops during the event's week may also be at risk. Additionally, visitors to three locations in Winkler, a city in southern Manitoba, earlier this month are being asked to monitor their symptoms until the end of the month.
Manitoba Health specifies that those who attended the Stacked Pancake and Breakfast House, a Winkler public health office, and an emergency department may have been exposed to measles last week. The health agency emphasizes the importance of ensuring measles vaccination for anyone who suspects exposure.
Measles symptoms typically appear seven to 21 days post-exposure and may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability, and red eyes. The agency also mentions the development of small white spots inside the mouth or throat, followed by a red, blotchy rash on the face and body a few days later.
The disease spreads through airborne droplets from coughing or sneezing, and it poses a greater risk to infants and young children, potentially being life-threatening. The Ag Days website describes the event as a showcase of agricultural expertise, technology, and equipment, attracting exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and the North Central United States.
This critical health alert was first reported by The Canadian Press on February 8, 2026.
