Manitoba Declares Public Health Emergency as HIV Rates Surge
Manitoba has officially declared a public health emergency to combat the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as the province continues to record some of the highest infection rates in Canada. The declaration, announced by the provincial chief public health officer, serves as both an awareness tool and a mechanism to expand HIV testing and care access across the province.
- Alarming Rates: In 2024, Manitoba reported 19.5 cases per 100,000 people, more than three times the national average of 5.5.
- Sharp Increase: New HIV cases rose from 90 in 2019 to 328 in 2025.
- Primary Drivers: The crisis is fueled by injection drug use, homelessness, mental health challenges, and barriers to healthcare access.
- Strategic Response: The province is launching an HIV Response Steering Committee to implement targeted prevention and care strategies.
Understanding the Crisis: The Data
The decision to declare a public health emergency follows a steady and sharp increase in new HIV diagnoses over the last several years. According to Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, the province is experiencing a critical trend in new infections.
| Year | New HIV Cases Reported |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 90 |
| 2021 | 142 |
| 2025 | 328 |
Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, noted that the 2024 rate of 19.5 cases per 100,000 is roughly 3½ times the Canadian national rate. Early data from 2026 suggests that new cases remain consistent with the high levels recorded in the first quarter of 2025.
Drivers of the Epidemic
This public health emergency is not the result of a single factor but a convergence of systemic social and health issues. Public health officials have identified several primary drivers contributing to the rise in infections:
- Substance Use: A significant increase in injection drug use.
- Social Determinants of Health: High rates of homelessness and untreated mental health issues.
- Comorbidities: A rise in other bloodborne infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Systemic Barriers: Difficulties in accessing timely and adequate healthcare, particularly for marginalized populations.
Regional and Demographic Disparities
The impact of HIV in Manitoba is not uniform. While the largest number of diagnoses occur in the Winnipeg region, the highest rates of infection are concentrated in the Prairie Mountain Health and Northern Health regions.
Indigenous peoples continue to be disproportionately impacted by the epidemic. Individuals living in rural and remote areas face additional challenges in accessing the care and prevention services necessary to curb the spread of the virus.
The Provincial Response Strategy
To address these challenges, the province is moving beyond traditional health interventions. The declaration of a public health emergency allows the government to increase both traditional and non-traditional forms of HIV testing.
The HIV Response Steering Committee
Following a December 2025 meeting with Indigenous leaders, community organizations, and health experts, the province is launching the HIV Response Steering Committee. Coordinated through Public Health, this committee is tasked with:
- Implementing recommendations from a broad group of stakeholders and experts.
- Building on existing strategies led by federal and Indigenous governments.
- Integrating perspectives from Indigenous and community members to ensure initiatives are culturally safe and effective.
- Developing targeted supports for the communities most affected by the rise in cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was a public health emergency declared?
The emergency declaration acts as an awareness tool and provides the province with more options to expand HIV testing and implement urgent prevention strategies to address the sharply rising infection rates.
Who is most at risk in Manitoba?
While anyone can contract HIV, current data shows a disproportionate impact on Indigenous peoples and those facing homelessness, mental health challenges, or those engaging in injection drug use.
Where are the highest rates of HIV in the province?
The highest rates are found in the Northern Health and Prairie Mountain Health regions, although the highest total volume of cases is diagnosed in Winnipeg.
Looking Forward
The declaration of a public health emergency marks a critical turning point in Manitoba’s approach to HIV. By shifting toward a more integrated, community-led response through the HIV Response Steering Committee, the province aims to dismantle barriers to care and reduce the disproportionate burden of the disease on its most vulnerable populations. The success of these initiatives will depend on the sustained collaboration between provincial health authorities, Indigenous leadership, and community partners.