Low Risk of Mpox Infection for Canadians

Health Canada has reassured Canadians that the risk from the latest strain of monkeypox, known as clade I, remains low, despite the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring a global emergency due to its rapid spread in Africa. As of August 14, no cases of clade I have been reported in Canada. The agency emphasized its commitment to monitoring the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and surrounding regions, while collaborating with both domestic and international partners to explore potential support measures. In a subsequent update on August 16, Health Canada detailed that the current cases in Canada are attributed to clade IIb, with a total of 164 cases reported as of August 12. This includes 162 confirmed cases and two probable cases. The first human case of monkeypox was documented in 1970 in the DRC, and the disease is believed to have originated from rodents in Central and West Africa. Transmission of monkeypox occurs through direct contact with the body fluids of infected individuals or animals, which can include blood, saliva, and semen, as well as contaminated items like clothing and utensils. The incubation period for the virus can extend up to three weeks, with painful and itchy lesions typically appearing within three days following the onset of fever. While Health Canada does not currently have an approved treatment specifically for monkeypox, the agency has indicated that off-label use of certain medications may be considered for managing the disease.