Manitoba’s health landscape has recently faced a devastating trend with HIV diagnoses sharply increasing throughout the province. Dr. Carol Kurbis, a medical officer of health with specialty in communicable disease control for the Manitoba government. On the flip side, she notes that since 2019, no health region has experienced an overall decrease in new HIV diagnoses. No movement. However, the crisis in the Prairie Mountain Health region has become dire. A rapid rebound in infections requires a swift response.
As per the most recent provincial HIV surveillance report, 2023 has had 19 diagnosed cases so far in Manitoba. According to these same estimates, by June 30th the province was expected to have experienced a cumulative total of only 189 diagnoses. This puts Manitoba on track to exceed last year’s record high of 291 cases. Alarmingly, Prairie Mountain Health accounts for about 40% of all HIV cases reported this year. This region covers an area of 67,000 square kilometers along the Saskatchewan border.
Between January and June 2025 alone, the region recorded 75 new HIV diagnoses, a trend that’s considered “very concerning.” This data further highlights the need for immediate public health interventions and resources to address the escalating rates of infection.
Dr. Kurbis highlighted the need to link people living with HIV to the right care and treatment in a timely manner. Specifically, she focused on the need to get all people with HIV linked to care. Finally, she mentioned how important it is for them to be able to access the best possible, evidenced-based treatment. In response, the Manitoba government formed a Manitoba HIV response team to offer holistic support. This cross-ministerial team consists of committed public health, housing, justice, northern relations, and finance staff.
First, the Manitoba HIV program has grown in the last few years to serve more than 2,000 people. Patients who hold a Manitoba health card now have access to the medicine at no charge. This is only available to those who do not have complete coverage through another provincial or federal program. Dr. Kurbis noted that removing financial barriers is crucial: “Any time we remove any kind of financial barrier, it does make a difference in people being able to maintain treatment.”
The surging HIV incidences in Manitoba are deeply connected with layered social-economic realities. Keynan, the communications director for the province’s Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation department, highlighted the urgent challenges of substandard housing and intergenerational trauma. These factors considerably compound the dangers susceptible communities are already experiencing. Keynan said this scarcity of housing increases risk. He focused on how this, in pairing with past trauma and current trauma, makes for a perilous cocktail for many.
Dr. Kurbis remarked on the alarming trend: “When we look at our HIV numbers broadly — provincially — we’ve seen steady increases since 2019.” This continued upward trend highlights the continued need for more resources and targeted interventions to turn the epidemic around once and for all. For example, Keynan stressed that the trend over the past five years has been a clean upward trajectory. He was rigid that we need more resources to meet this trend to drive.
Today, Manitoba is in a public health crisis. Federal, state, and local authorities need to continue supporting dynamic, intersectional strategies to meet the short-term healthcare demands of the moment and the socio-economic causes that are continuing the spread of HIV. The challenging interplay of these factors requires a comprehensive response to protect the health of vulnerable communities.
