CDC issues travel alert for Manitoba amid hepatitis A outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel alert for the Canadian province of Manitoba in response to an ongoing hepatitis A outbreak that has resulted in multiple deaths and a growing number of locally acquired infections.

Alert highlights cross-border health concerns

The new travel notice places Manitoba on the radar of U.S. travelers, drawing attention to a provincial hepatitis A outbreak that has been building over the past year. Publicly available information indicates that nearly all recent infections have been acquired within the province rather than linked to international travel, a shift that has raised concern among health agencies monitoring cross-border disease trends.

The alert advises travelers heading to Manitoba to be aware of the elevated risk of hepatitis A infection, particularly in communities that have reported higher case counts. The notice encourages visitors to review their vaccination status, consider immunization before departure and pay close attention to basic sanitation measures such as frequent handwashing and safe food and water practices.

Manitoba’s outbreak has been notable for including severe cases and fatalities. Reports from Canadian public health summaries and regional coverage note several deaths and a widening geographic spread of cases across the province, including both urban centers and remote communities.

By flagging Manitoba on its travel health platform, the U.S. agency is treating the provincial outbreak as an issue of interest for American residents who may be visiting family, traveling for work or transiting through Winnipeg and other Manitoba destinations.

Manitoba’s ongoing hepatitis A outbreak

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver and is typically transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated food or water or close person-to-person contact. Provincial health materials from Manitoba emphasize that the infection can cause fever, fatigue, jaundice and gastrointestinal symptoms, and while many people recover fully, some develop severe liver complications.

According to Canadian public health bulletins and regional reporting, Manitoba has been managing an extended hepatitis A outbreak that emerged in 2024 and continued through 2025 and into 2026. Early clusters were documented in northern First Nations communities, with subsequent spread into other parts of the province. Over time, eligibility criteria for publicly funded hepatitis A vaccine in Manitoba were expanded to include additional high-risk groups, reflecting the persistence of transmission.

Manitoba health communications describe ongoing locally acquired infections, meaning individuals who have not recently traveled outside the province are becoming ill. This pattern, combined with documented deaths, appears to have contributed to the heightened attention now reflected in U.S. travel advice.

Travel advisories of this kind do not restrict movement but aim to make travelers aware of specific health contexts at their destinations so they can assess personal risk and take preventive steps.

Who is considered at higher risk

While hepatitis A can affect people of any age, publicly available provincial guidance and national immunization resources in Canada identify several groups at heightened risk during an outbreak. These include individuals experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, people who use injection or non-injection drugs, close contacts of confirmed cases and certain Indigenous communities where clusters have been reported.

In Manitoba, targeted vaccination campaigns have focused on communities with sustained transmission and on people whose living or working conditions increase the chance of exposure. Health authorities have emphasized vaccination for residents and workers in affected regions, as well as for people with chronic liver disease, who are more likely to experience severe outcomes if infected.

The U.S. travel alert aligns with this risk-based approach by encouraging travelers who fall into similar categories to consult health providers before visiting Manitoba. This includes individuals with underlying liver conditions, those planning extended stays in outbreak-affected areas and people who anticipate close contact with local communities where cases remain elevated.

Short-term visitors staying in standard commercial accommodation and practicing usual food and water precautions are generally considered at lower risk, but the alert indicates that they should still be aware of hepatitis A symptoms and seek care promptly if they become unwell.

Recommended steps for U.S. travelers

The CDC notice points U.S. residents toward a set of well-established preventive measures for hepatitis A when traveling to an area with documented transmission. Foremost among these is vaccination, which is widely available in the United States. Health agencies generally recommend that travelers complete the hepatitis A vaccine series before departure when possible, although a single dose can still provide meaningful protection if given closer to travel.

Travel medicine resources also stress meticulous hand hygiene, especially after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing food. Travelers are encouraged to consume food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot, avoid raw or undercooked shellfish and be mindful of water safety, including the use of safe drinking water and ice.

Public information from Manitoba and national Canadian sources indicates that the virus has been circulating in specific social and geographic networks. Travelers who expect to spend time in affected communities, attend large gatherings or work in shelters and community programs are advised to pay particular attention to vaccination and hygiene guidance.

Any traveler who develops symptoms compatible with hepatitis A, such as sudden fatigue, nausea, dark urine or yellowing of the skin or eyes, is urged in public advisories to seek medical assessment and mention recent travel to Manitoba. Early recognition can help prevent transmission to household contacts and others after returning home.

What the alert means for tourism and cross-border travel

The travel alert arrives at a time when cross-border movement between the United States and Canada is robust, particularly for leisure travel and visiting friends and family. Manitoba, known for attractions such as Winnipeg’s cultural institutions and outdoor recreation across the province, typically welcomes a steady stream of U.S. visitors throughout the year.

Publicly available travel industry commentary suggests that health notices of this kind usually have a limited effect on overall visitor numbers when they emphasize precaution rather than restrictions. Instead, such alerts often lead to increased demand for travel health advice and vaccination appointments in the weeks following publication.

The situation in Manitoba highlights how localized outbreaks can gain international attention once they persist or expand beyond initial clusters. As the province continues its vaccination campaigns and surveillance, the U.S. alert serves as a reminder that travelers share responsibility for reducing the spread of preventable infections by staying informed, seeking appropriate immunizations and following basic hygiene practices.

Health agencies on both sides of the border are expected to continue updating public information on hepatitis A trends and recommendations as new data become available. Travelers planning trips to Manitoba in the coming months are encouraged by publicly accessible guidance to check for the latest advisories and ensure that their routine and travel vaccinations are up to date before departure.