Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief public health officer, speaks at the provincial legislative building in Winnipeg in a 2020 file photo.David Lipnowski/The Canadian Press
The Manitoba government is declaring a public health emergency over its rising number of HIV cases.
The province says new cases have been steadily increasing over the last six years, with 328 detected in 2025 compared to 90 in 2019.
Rates are highest in the southwest and northern parts of the province, with the largest number of cases diagnosed in Winnipeg.
Dr. Brent Roussin, the province’s chief public health officer, says by declaring the issue a public health emergency the government can support a more co-ordinated response with other organizations and community groups.
He says it’s not about creating fear but that a level of urgency is needed to address the issue.
The province is seeing the virus most commonly spread through intravenous drug use and unprotected heterosexual sex.
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