Manitoba’s top doctor says there are more than 30 cases. measleswhich is associated with a major agricultural event last month and is expected to be further documented.

Provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said the province is expanding who is eligible for vaccinations in the Prairie Mountain Health region after a spike in cases stemming from Manitoba Agriculture Day, a three-day event that draws thousands of people each year in Brandon.

Infants six months of age and older in the region, which includes southwestern Manitoba, can now receive communicable disease vaccinations.

Roussin said the state continues to have high levels of transmission, primarily in the southern part of the state, where there are fewer vaccinations against the disease than in some urban areas.

The state recorded 74 measles cases last month, the highest number in a year.

Roussin also warned that Manitoba is experiencing a high number of flu cases this season, straining hospital resources.

Approximately 3,000 people have been admitted to emergency departments or urgent care centers with influenza.

“This is even higher than what we have seen during similar periods during the (COVID-19) pandemic,” the doctor said Thursday.

Roussin encouraged those who haven’t yet gotten vaccinated to get vaccinated, as a second wave of influenza is expected in the spring.

Manitoba has recorded the highest number of measles cases this year, according to Health Canada data. Manitoba accounted for more than half of the 135 cases reported nationwide in the last week of January.

Nevertheless, Roussin said the state has no plans to mandate vaccination against the disease.

“We will rely on continued messaging and access to try to build trust with health care workers and people in these high-risk areas,” he said.

Manitoba Heath recommends that anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to measles contact their health care provider to ensure they have an up-to-date measles vaccine.

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