Measles Outbreak Over

Manitoba Public Health has officially declared the province’s measles outbreak over, effective October 16, 2026. The last laboratory-confirmed case was identified in August, bringing an end to an outbreak that began in 2025 and affected more than 1,000 Manitobans.

🩺 What physicians need to know: With the outbreak over, Manitoba has returned to its routine measles immunization eligibility criteria.

• Routine immunization: The temporary eligibility for infants aged six to under 12 months in affected regions has ended. The first routine dose is recommended at 12 months or older.
• Travel exception: Infants aged six to under 12 months travelling to measles-endemic countries remain eligible for an additional MMR dose.
• Stay vigilant: Consider measles in patients presenting with fever and rash. Immediately isolate suspected cases, implement airborne precautions, and report suspected cases to Public Health the same day.

Go deeper: Review Manitoba’s measles information and immunization guidance and the October 16 public health update for health care providers.

Official take: Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, shared this insight with Doctors Manitoba: 

• “The end of this outbreak is an important milestone and reflects the efforts of health care providers, public health teams, communities, and families across Manitoba. While the outbreak is over, measles continues to circulate globally and can be introduced at any time. Maintaining strong routine immunization coverage remains essential to protecting Manitobans, particularly as some areas of the province continue to have lower vaccination rates. We encourage health care providers to continue promoting immunization and to remain alert for potential cases.”

📉 By the numbers: While the outbreak is over, Manitoba led the nation this year in measles cases, with a significant impact across the province:

• 1,038 cases reported, including 931 confirmed and 107 probable cases.
• 87% of cases involved individuals who were not immunized or had unknown immunization status.
• 52 hospitalizations, including six ICU admissions. Half of those hospitalized were children under 10.
• 21 cases in pregnant individuals and four cases of congenital measles.
• No deaths were reported.

The good news: Measles immunization increased during the outbreak, with approximately 15% more Manitobans receiving the vaccine in 2025 compared to 2024.

Bottom line: While the outbreak is over, measles remains a risk internationally. Physicians are encouraged to continue promoting immunization and maintaining vigilance for suspected cases.

Drug Formulary Updates

Manitoba Health is updating its Drug Benefits and Drug Interchangeability Formularies effective November 1, 2026, with changes that may affect prescribing, medication coverage and patient access.

What’s changing: Key updates for physicians include:

• Diabetes monitoring: The Dexcom G7 15-Day Sensor is now a Part 2 benefit for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes using basal-bolus insulin or an insulin pump. Eligible patients do not require individual Exception Drug Status (EDS) approval.
• Hepatitis C treatment: Updated EDS criteria for Maviret (glecaprevir/​pibrentasvir) include patients aged three and older who weigh at least 12 kg, subject to eligibility requirements and specialist prescribing.
• Cancer treatment: Expanded EDS indications for Calquence (acalabrutinib) and Imbruvica (ibrutinib) include additional combination therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma.
• Schizophrenia treatment: Abilify Asimtufii (long-acting aripiprazole) gains EDS coverage for eligible patients with adherence challenges, inadequate symptom control or significant adverse effects.
• Routine prescribing: New Part 1 listings include formulations of rivaroxaban, buspirone, risperidone, captopril, enalapril and methylphenidate ER.

Bottom line: Check the updated formulary and EDS criteria before prescribing affected medications, particularly when initiating treatment or changing therapies.

Go deeper: Review Bulletin 152 and supporting Manitoba Health documents.

Ambulatory Clinic EPR Update

Shared Health is offering a webinar on October 30, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. to explore the enhanced Ambulatory Care functionality available in Altera Sunrise version 25.1, which is expected to be available for clinical use in 2027. The webinar will include an overview of the significant new capabilities and workflow improvements that are not available in the version currently used by a limited number of Manitoba providers.

The session will feature:

• A demonstration of the enhanced Ambulatory Care functionality and key clinical workflows
• Practical insights from Dr. Wayne Fellmeth, Chief Medical Information Officer at Tuba City Regional Healthcare Corp, based on his organization’s experience using the solution
• A physician and product perspective from Dr. Constantin Jabarin, Chief Medical Information Officer at Altera Digital Health
• An opportunity to explore how the functionality is designed to support ambulatory care workflows

Presented as part of Manitoba’s Electronic Clinical Record Program, this session is designed for physicians and other providers delivering care in outpatient clinics within acute care facilities. 

Information about Ambulatory EPR implementation timelines and deployment plans will be shared separately as planning progresses. 

Note: Acute Care Outpatient Clinics using other EMRs for electronic clinical documentation are not currently planned to transition to the EPR Ambulatory Care Module (Altera Sunrise 25.1).

Register for the session that works best for you:

1. October 30 at 1:00 p.m. (CST) session: Register here
2. October 30 at 5:00 p.m. (CST) session: Register here

Sessions will be recorded and made available for those who are unable to attend.

Questions are welcome and may be submitted in advance by emailing ecrprogram@​sharedhealthmb.​ca.