Monkeypox in Canada: What you need to know about the monkeypox virus

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Toronto health officials urged eligible residents to get vaccinated with the MPox vaccine this week after The number of cases in the city has surged And concerned about the continued increase in cases around the world.

Although there are currently no similar cases in British Columbia, monkeypox (mpox, formerly known as monkeypox) remains active.

Here’s what you need to know about MPOX in BC:

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Q: What is mpox?

one: Mpox is a rare viral infection that was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys used for research.

The first human case of infection was recorded in Congo in 1970, in a 9-month-old boy.

Since then, cases of swine pox have been reported in several African countries, including Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, mainly in rural and rainforest areas.

Historically, MPOX has usually been confined to Africa. Cases outside the continent are rare and usually associated with international travel or the importation of animals (usually rodents). This is why recent new cases in Europe and North America in 2022 are causing concern.

Q: What is the status of MPOX in Canada and around the world as of August 2024?

As of July 30, 2024, the BC Centre for Disease Control has recorded 225 confirmed cases in the province since it began tracking the disease. There was a previous outbreak in 2022 that was officially declared over in January 2023.

The majority of cases were in the Vancouver Coastal Health region (174), while the Fraser Health region had only 34. The Vancouver Island Health region reported nine cases, the Interior Health region reported seven, and the Northern Health region had just one.

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In Toronto, cases surged in June and July following summer festivals and events. As of July 31, there were 93 total confirmed cases, compared to 21 at the same time last year. The City of Toronto said that while cases have been reported across the city, there is a higher concentration of cases in downtown Toronto.

Meanwhile, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said 13 countries in Africa have reported outbreaks of swine fever, leading those countries to declare the outbreak a public health emergency on the continent on Tuesday.

“So far in 2024, 2,863 cases have been confirmed in these countries, with 517 deaths, primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),” a press release from the Africa CDC stated.

On August 14, the World Health Organization convened an expert meeting to decide whether the current MPOX surge should be declared a global public health emergency.

Q: Why is it called mpox now instead of monkeypox?

The World Health Organization recommends using appropriate nomenclature for diseases to reduce the stigma associated with certain terms.

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In November 2022, during a recorded monkeypox outbreak across the country, federal health officials changed the way they referenced and wrote about monkeypox, opting instead to use the name “mpox.”

Q: Where have cases of mpox occurred?

one: Canadian health officials first began investigating suspected cases in the Montreal area during the 2022 outbreak. The first cases were reported on May 12, 2022, from a clinic specializing in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Most cases occurred in men who have sex with men, aged 30 to 55 years. Cases were not serious.

Dr. Mylene Drouin, Montreal’s director of public health, said that while the infection can be contracted sexually, mpox is not considered a sexually transmitted disease and “we don’t want to stigmatize a particular group.”

As of August 2024, no surge in MPOX cases has been recorded in B.C.

Q: How contagious is mpox?

one: Vaccinia virus is spread through contact with the virus on animals, humans or contaminated objects. The virus can enter the body through broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose and mouth).

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The virus does not spread easily from person to person. Experts say person-to-person transmission occurs mainly through larger respiratory droplets and close and prolonged contact.

Health officials say there is no risk of contracting the virus through activities such as eating at a restaurant or taking public transportation.

Q: What are the symptoms of mpox?

one: Symptoms are similar to those of smallpox, but milder. It usually starts with flu-like symptoms — fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue — followed by a rash or pox that starts on the chest and spreads to the hands and feet. Smallpox infection also causes swollen lymph nodes.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says the incubation period is approximately seven to 17 days.

Q: How serious is mpox?

one: Cases are usually mild, and most people recover within two weeks to a month. But it can be fatal. The mortality rate is between 1% and 10%, depending on the strain of the virus.

The Congo Basin strain has a mortality rate of 10%, while the West African strain has a lower mortality rate of only 1%.

In the UK, infections have been determined to be caused by a West African strain. It is not yet clear which strain the Quebec patients were infected with during the 2022 outbreak.

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Q: How is MPOX treated?

one: The Centers for Disease Control says there is currently no effective treatment. Treatment is usually to relieve symptoms. There is currently no cure or specific vaccine for smallpox, but data shows that the smallpox vaccine is about 85% effective against smallpox.

Q: Has mpox been detected in BC?

one: The first case of MPOX in B.C. Confirmed on June 6, 2022.

The BC Centre for Disease Control said the case was identified in a resident of the Vancouver Coastal Health region and confirmed by laboratory testing in the province. The case has been referred to the National Microbiology Laboratory for further confirmation.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said at the time that while secondary confirmation was being sought, there was confidence it was a case of mpox.

“There will be more information available about the details of this matter, but suffice it to say that the risk to the public overall is low,” Dix said on June 6, 2022.

“But we want to make sure everyone is aware and informed of this issue and knows all of the steps that are in place to support this individual, this individual’s close contacts and the community.”

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Q: Is there a vaccine for MPox?

Yes, there is a vaccine for mpox. The vaccine is called IMVAMUNE and is given in two doses, at least 28 days apart.

Ideally, the shot should be given before a person is exposed to an infection, however, it may still provide some protection if given within four days of exposure.

The vaccine’s use successfully helped control the 2022 outbreak in British Columbia

For more information on vaccination eligibility, visit BC Centre for Disease Control website.

— Information from Reuters, The Canadian Press and Postmedia

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