Manitoba health officials have recorded 784 cases of hepatitis A since September 2024, an outbreak driven by person-to-person transmission and compounded by infrastructure gaps in remote communities. According to Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, the surge has resulted in 165 hospitalizations, eight intensive care unit admissions, and four deaths. The province has recently updated its vaccine eligibility criteria to curb the spread in both Indigenous communities and urban centers like Winnipeg.
Why is the hepatitis A outbreak spreading in Manitoba?
Public health experts point to a combination of environmental and social factors fueling the transmission. According to provincial data, inadequate access to clean water and reliable sewage infrastructure in remote northern regions remains a primary driver for the virus, which thrives in conditions of poor sanitation. While the outbreak originated in northern Manitoba, it has expanded into other provincial regions. Manitoba Health reports an increasing number of cases in Winnipeg, specifically among populations experiencing homelessness and individuals who maintain regular contact with affected northern communities.
Hepatitis A is highly contagious and can be transmitted by an infected person up to two weeks before they show any symptoms of the illness.
Who is eligible for the updated hepatitis A vaccine?
The province has expanded its vaccination program to create broader immunity barriers. As of June 2025, children born on or after January 1, 2010, who are at least six months old, qualify for two doses if they reside in an Indigenous community, travel to one frequently, or host visitors from those areas, per Manitoba Health guidelines.
For adults and other high-risk groups, the province continues to provide a single dose of the vaccine to:
- Residents of specific First Nations, including Island Lake, Peguis, War Lake, Bloodvein River, Ebb and Flow, Cross Lake, and Tataskweyak.
- Individuals who travel to or work within these designated communities.
- Staff and volunteers at Winnipeg community organizations serving those experiencing homelessness.
- Inmates housed in provincial correctional facilities.
What are the primary symptoms and risks of infection?
Hepatitis A is an acute liver infection that can present with varied severity. According to health authorities, symptoms typically emerge 14 to 28 days after exposure, though the incubation period can extend to 50 days. Patients often experience an abrupt onset of fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice.
While mild cases often resolve within two weeks, the virus poses a significant threat to vulnerable groups. The risk of severe illness is higher for individuals over age 60, those with pre-existing chronic liver disease, and people with weakened immune systems. Although the virus does not cause chronic infection, provincial reports confirm it can rarely lead to fulminant hepatitis—a form of acute liver failure that can be fatal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is hepatitis A transmitted?
The virus is spread primarily through the fecal-oral route, meaning it is passed when an individual consumes food or water contaminated by the feces of an infected person.
Can you spread the virus without symptoms?
Yes. Manitoba Health confirms that infected individuals can transmit the virus to others for up to two weeks before symptoms appear and for one week after jaundice or other physical signs develop.
Is there a cure for hepatitis A?
There is no specific treatment for the virus itself. Recovery usually involves supportive care to manage symptoms, though severe cases may require hospitalization to prevent life-threatening complications like acute liver failure.
For more information on local health alerts and vaccination clinic schedules, visit the Manitoba Health official website. Have questions about your eligibility? Leave a comment below or contact your local public health office.
