U.S. issues Manitoba travel alert over hepatitis A surge

The United States has issued a new travel alert for the Canadian province of Manitoba in response to a growing hepatitis A outbreak, advising travelers to review their vaccination status and take extra care with food, water and personal hygiene while visiting the region.

U.S. travel notice highlights ongoing Manitoba outbreak

Information posted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that Manitoba has been experiencing a sustained hepatitis A outbreak, with the province continuing to report new locally acquired infections in 2026. The U.S. notice places particular emphasis on travelers who may be at higher risk because of close contact with local communities or prolonged stays.

Manitoba public health bulletins describe the situation as a provincewide outbreak, noting that clusters have been detected in several northern and urban communities. Recent provincial documents show that additional communities continue to be added to the list of outbreak-affected areas as investigations identify more cases.

The updated U.S. advisory does not restrict travel to Manitoba but frames the situation as a health information alert. Travelers are encouraged to be aware of symptoms of hepatitis A and to seek medical advice before departure, especially if they have underlying liver conditions or other risk factors.

Case counts rise as vaccine eligibility widens in Manitoba

Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care has issued a series of letters and technical updates to health care providers throughout 2026 describing an expanding outbreak and ongoing transmission. These documents report that the province continues to detect new hepatitis A infections linked to the same overall event, prompting repeated revisions to vaccination eligibility criteria.

Initially, hepatitis A vaccine offered through the outbreak response focused on specific northern First Nations and individuals with close contact in those communities. Subsequent updates widened eligibility to additional First Nations, people experiencing homelessness, individuals who use certain substances, and front-line workers who regularly interact with these groups. The expanding criteria reflect public health assessments that transmission is occurring within social networks where access to sanitation and stable housing may be limited.

Reports from regional health units in neighboring northwestern Ontario also reference Manitoba’s outbreak, warning that travel between communities may facilitate spread. These alerts advise health providers on both sides of the provincial border to monitor patients for symptoms and to consider vaccination for those traveling to or from affected areas.

Why hepatitis A is a concern for travelers

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver and typically spreads through the fecal oral route, most often via person to person contact, contaminated food or drinking water, or surfaces handled by someone who is infected. Travelers who have not previously been vaccinated or infected are at risk if they consume contaminated items or have close contact with an infectious person.

Public health agencies describe common symptoms as including fatigue, nausea, stomach discomfort, loss of appetite, fever and jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin or eyes. Not everyone develops noticeable symptoms, especially children, but people can still spread the virus to others. In most cases, individuals recover fully within weeks to months, but severe illness and liver failure can occur, particularly in older adults or those with pre existing liver disease.

For travelers, vaccination is considered the primary protective measure. The U.S. advisory on Manitoba encourages adults and children aged one year or older who have not been immunized to discuss hepatitis A vaccine with a health care provider before departure. Enhanced handwashing with soap and safe water, cautious selection of food and beverages, and avoiding sharing items like utensils or cigarettes are also promoted as practical steps.

Guidance for Americans planning trips to Manitoba

The U.S. travel notice characterizes the risk to the general traveling public as manageable when appropriate precautions are taken, but it stresses planning ahead. Travelers are urged to schedule pre trip consultations far enough in advance for vaccination, since the hepatitis A vaccine series is given in two doses for long term protection. Even a single dose administered before travel is described in public guidance as offering substantial short term protection.

Prospective visitors are advised to review their itineraries, including whether they will be staying in private homes, visiting smaller communities, or engaging in volunteer or outreach work. These activities may increase the likelihood of close, prolonged contact with residents and therefore the chance of encountering the virus. Short stays in major hotels with reliable water and sanitation infrastructure are generally viewed as lower risk, although basic hygiene measures remain important.

Americans who develop compatible symptoms during or after travel are encouraged by public information resources to contact a health provider and to mention recent time spent in Manitoba. Early testing can help confirm infection and prompt additional protective steps for close contacts. In many jurisdictions, suspected cases are reportable to local health units, which then conduct follow up to limit further spread.

Manitoba’s public health response continues to evolve

Provincial documentation shows that Manitoba has been adjusting its outbreak response strategies throughout the year, updating vaccine eligibility lists as new patterns of transmission appear. This has included expanding outreach in northern communities as well as urban settings where homelessness, precarious housing or crowding may facilitate spread.

In addition to vaccination, Manitoba public health materials emphasize education on hand hygiene, safe food preparation and the importance of staying home when ill, especially for individuals who handle or serve food to others. Local campaigns have also highlighted the need for people experiencing symptoms to seek medical assessment so that cases can be identified and contacts can be offered preventive care.

The U.S. travel alert reflects the interconnected nature of regional health events, with cross border movement of residents, seasonal workers and tourists providing potential pathways for disease spread. As Manitoba continues its vaccination and outreach campaigns, officials in both countries are expected to monitor case numbers and update public information if the situation changes, particularly as peak summer travel to lakes, camps and cultural events gets underway.