Province Declares a Public Health Emergency to Combat the Spread of HIV

Press Release

May 7, 2026

Public health officials with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care are declaring a public health emergency to combat the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

New cases of HIV in Manitoba have been steadily increasing, to a high of 328 in 2025 from 90 new cases in 2019. Manitoba continues to experience some of the highest HIV rates in Canada. In 2024, Manitoba reported 19.5 cases per 100,000 people, over three-and-a-half times the national rate of 5.5 per 100,000 people. Rates are highest in the Prairie Mountain Health and Northern Health regions, but the largest number of cases are diagnosed in the Winnipeg region. Indigenous peoples continue to be disproportionately impacted and all people living in rural and remote areas may face additional challenges in accessing care.

A broad group of governments, Indigenous leaders and organizations, community organizations, health-care organizations and other experts met in December 2025 to discuss HIV prevention and Manitoba’s response. As a result of their recommendations and in response to the rising number of HIV cases, the province is launching an HIV Response Steering Committee co-ordinated through Public Health.

The HIV Response Steering Committee will help implement recommendations from the broader group and build on strategies and ongoing work being led by federal and Indigenous governments, health-care providers and community partners. The committee will include Indigenous and community members whose perspectives will be integral to the success of these initiatives.

Developing better and more targeted supports for people in communities most affected by HIV, including those where cases appear to be on the rise, will be a priority. Areas of focus may also include HIV prevention, such as:

• increased awareness and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP);
• enhanced testing for early diagnosis;
• connection to care; and
• supports for people living with HIV.

The risk factors for acquiring HIV in Manitoba are different from national trends. More than 50 per cent of cases are female, compared to a Canadian average of 32 per cent. There was one perinatal case in 2024 and another in 2025, where infants have been born with an HIV infection. Prior to 2024, the last case of perinatal transmission was in 2021. Most newly diagnosed females are under 40 years old, which increases the risk of more perinatal cases.

In Manitoba, HIV is most commonly spread through injection drug use and unprotected heterosexual sex and is associated with the convergence of homelessness, mental health concerns, substance use and socio-economic inequality. HIV stigma and misinformation create additional barriers to seeking care and support. Substance use comes with the additional risk of serious and tragic health impacts such as overdoses and can create further barriers to seeking care.

HIV spreads through activities like unprotected sex or sharing needles. It is not spread through coughing or sneezing, by touching someone with HIV or from contact with surfaces like toilet seats, countertops and sinks.

Since 2023, the Manitoba government has invested an additional $8 million annually to remove barriers and support increased access to care for HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) including:

• providing pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy for free through the Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program (MEPP);
• expanding Indigenous-led and community-based services that improve access to HIV prevention and intervention;
• adding communicable disease technicians to all health regions to support STBBI follow-up; and
• advancing the Program to Access Treatment for HIV and Support (PATHS).

HIV attacks specific cells in the immune system that make it weaker and harder for the body to fight off infections. Though there is no cure for HIV, there is very effective treatment that, if taken regularly, can make the virus virtually undetectable on tests and unable to be spread through sexual contact. Most people who get treatment early and take medications for HIV can live long and healthy lives. People at high risk of acquiring HIV have access to free pre-exposure prophylaxis, which is medication that can be very effective in preventing infection.

For more information about HIV, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/hiv.html.

To read Manitoba’s 2024 annual surveillance update on HIV, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveillance/hivaids/index.html.

For more information about MEPP, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/sti/hiv-faq.html.

– 30 –

For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

IHT5