U.S. CDC travel advisory issued for Manitoba over worsening hepatitis A outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 1 travel advisory for Manitoba, Canada, as a hepatitis A outbreak in the province continues to worsen. This advisory comes as more than 100 new cases have been reported in the past month, contributing to a significant increase in infections. The CDC's notice serves to inform travelers about the existing outbreak.

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That response is really just echoing the communications that we’ve been sharing with our partners and through jurisdictions in Canada.

Manitoba's chief provincial public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, stated that the advisory "is really just echoing the communications that we’ve been sharing with our partners and through jurisdictions in Canada." He clarified that the notice "is not deterring any travel, there is no reason to consider that." As of June 4, the province reported 784 hepatitis A cases linked to the outbreak that began in April 2025, an increase from 658 cases reported on May 6. Approximately 25 percent of these infections, totaling 186 cases, have occurred in Winnipeg.

Since the outbreak commenced, there have been 165 hospitalizations, including eight admissions to the intensive care unit, and four deaths. The outbreak initially started in some northern communities in 2025, primarily due to inadequate access to sanitation and clean water, but has since spread throughout the province. In Winnipeg, populations facing higher risks include those in precarious housing situations and shelters, as well as individuals who inject drugs or use other substances. Hepatitis A is a virus that attacks the liver, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dark urine, and jaundice in some individuals.

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It’s just providing information that an outbreak exists here. It’s not deterring any travel, there is no reason to consider that.

The province is actively working to expand hepatitis A vaccine eligibility. While not part of the routine vaccination program, specific communities and populations are being added to the list of those eligible for the vaccine, which can prevent illness if administered before or shortly after exposure. These include several First Nations communities, inmates of correctional facilities, and staff and volunteers serving people experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg. Dr. Roussin indicated that public health officials are continuously monitoring transmission patterns to identify populations at risk for future cycles, acknowledging that the outbreak is unlikely to slow down soon.

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We’re always looking at where are we seeing transmission occur, who’s likely going to be at risk for the next transmission cycle.