The monkeypox virus has arrived in the region, according to Waterloo Public Health.
On Friday, the agency announced that it has registered its first confirmed case, as a man in his 30s has tested positive for the virus.
Read more: 1st case of monkeypox reported in Guelph: Public health
As of Wednesday, 890 cases had been reported in Canada, with 423 of those cases in Ontario.
Waterloo Public Health says the virus is spread “by close contact with bodily fluids, respiratory droplets or injuries from an infected person or animal, or through contaminated materials such as clothing and bedding.”
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He says a smallpox-like rash will appear after a person shows flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and/or fatigue.
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According to the Public Health Agency of Canada website, most people infected with monkeypox should recover on their own within a few weeks, but in some circumstances, people can become very sick and die .
Infected people usually develop symptoms five to 21 days after being exposed to the monkeypox virus, which includes a painful rash that can last 14 to 28 days.
Read more: Monkeypox: 890 cases reported in Canada, most in Ontario
Waterloo Public Health says if you contract the virus, you should self-isolate, wear a mask and seek medical attention.
WPH says it will offer the Imvamune vaccine to those at high risk of infection with more details coming soon.
He says the risk to the public is low because the virus doesn’t spread easily, but people can further mitigate the risk by practicing proper hygiene and safe sex while avoiding contact with sick people.
— with files from Global News’ Heidi Lee
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