A health bulletin has been issued by Manitoba Health, urging anyone who attended the Manitoba Ag Days, Canada's largest indoor farm show, to be vigilant for symptoms of measles. The bulletin emphasizes 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. It also advises that those who visited nearby tourist areas such as hotels, restaurants, and shops during the event week may have been exposed. Additionally, visitors to three locations in Winkler, a city in southern Manitoba, earlier this month are being advised to monitor their symptoms until the end of the month. According to Manitoba Health, those who attended 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 recommends that anyone who suspects they may have been exposed ensure they are up to date on their measles vaccine. Symptoms of measles typically appear seven to 21 days after exposure and may include fever, runny nose, drowsiness, irritability, and red eyes. Small white spots may also develop inside the mouth or throat, while a red blotchy rash appears on the face and progresses down the body several days after the initial symptoms. The disease spreads through droplets in the air formed when coughing or sneezing. Manitoba Health further notes that the disease tends to be more severe in infants and young children and can be life-threatening. The Manitoba Ag Days website describes the event as 'Canada's largest indoor farm show', attracting exhibitors and visitors from across Canada and the North Central United States. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 8, 2026.
