News Releases

May 8, 2026

Public health officials with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care are notifying the public of two locations in Winnipeg where recent exposure to hepatitis A may have occurred:

• Burger King, 333 Home St., from April 8 to April 23, and
• Augustine United Church, 444 River Ave., on April 19.

People who were at these locations during the specified dates are asked to monitor for symptoms of hepatitis A. Symptoms may appear between two and seven weeks after exposure. Anyone with symptoms should contact their health-care provider and advise them of the potential exposure.

Manitoba has an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A. Getting immunized with a hepatitis A vaccine can prevent hepatitis A. In response to the outbreak, immunization is being provided to people who have contact with cases or potential common exposures. Free vaccine eligibility has been expanded during the outbreak and criteria is listed at www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/hepatitisa.html#update.

Anyone who was in contact with someone infected with hepatitis A within 14 days may be eligible to receive hepatitis A vaccination and is encouraged to contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 in Winnipeg or 1-888-315-9257 toll-free in Manitoba.

Hepatitis A is an acute liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Some people with hepatitis A, especially young children, have no symptoms. Others can develop a range of symptoms from mild to severe. If symptoms do develop, the onset is abrupt and can include:

• fever;
• loss of appetite;
• nausea and vomiting;
• stomach cramps;
• abdominal pain;
• diarrhea;
• dark urine;
• clay-coloured stools; and
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

Those with mild symptoms often recover within one to two weeks. The illness can be more severe in some people, especially those with a weakened immune system or chronic liver disease, and people over the age of 60. Individuals with a severe illness can have symptoms for several months.

Hepatitis A can spread through contaminated water, food and close contact with an infected person. People infected with hepatitis A can spread the disease to others during the two weeks before symptoms develop and generally up to one week after jaundice or other symptoms develop. Those without symptoms can also spread the disease to others while they are infected. Those at highest risk include people who live in the same household, spend significant time together or share food or utensils.

To prevent infection, people are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water after using the toilet or handling diapers, and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are unavailable for handwashing, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

For more information, contact a health-care provider, public health office or nursing station, or call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).

For more information on hepatitis A, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/hepatitisa.html.

For more information on vaccine eligibility in Manitoba, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/vaccineeligibility.html.

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