The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel advisory on June 17, 2026, urging travelers to Manitoba to get vaccinated against hepatitis A.
The advisory comes as public health officials struggle to contain an outbreak that has caused severe illness and death within the Canadian province. Because hepatitis A is highly contagious and can be spread through contaminated food or water, the CDC is prioritizing preventative vaccination for those crossing the border.
The outbreak has had a significant impact on the regional healthcare system. According to reported data, there have been 165 hospitalizations [2] and eight admissions to intensive care units [3]. The virus has also resulted in four deaths [1].
Public health officials noted that the virus is not affecting all populations equally. "The hepatitis A outbreak is impacting homeless individuals and those in shelters at a higher rate," Dr. Brent Roussin said.
Despite the federal warning from the U.S., local tourism officials in Manitoba suggest the alert has not dampened visitor interest. "We have received no questions or concerns from American tourists about the recent U.S. travel alert," a Travel Manitoba spokesperson said.
Health experts continue to emphasize the importance of immunization. Alex Karpa said the CDC is urging travelers to Manitoba to be vaccinated against the virus to prevent further spread and protect individual health.
Manitoba officials are managing the crisis through a combination of targeted outreach to high-risk populations, and coordination with healthcare providers to monitor new cases.
“The CDC is urging travellers to Manitoba to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A.”
The issuance of a formal CDC travel advisory indicates that the Manitoba outbreak has reached a scale where the risk extends beyond localized clusters to international travelers. By highlighting the disproportionate impact on homeless populations, health officials are signaling that the outbreak is tied to systemic socio-economic vulnerabilities, which may complicate containment efforts despite the availability of vaccines.
