After Canada has been hit by several cases of monkeypox over the past few months, the federal government has announced a big chunk of funding for affected communities.
In a press release issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the feds confirmed a $1 million commitment to support organizations across the country advocating for communities that have been disproportionately affected by smallpox outbreaks.
The first installment of funding was announced on July 21, with $350,000 going to various community groups for gay and bisexual men’s health.
RÉZO in Montreal, the city that has seen the most cases of the virus, got $150,000; the Toronto AIDS Committee will receive $100,000; and MAX Ottawa will also get $100,000.
This government funding is to help amplify PHAC’s message about the disease, with a focus on being ‘culturally appropriate’ and ‘stigma free’.
This isn’t the only cash flowing into communities across Canada. A total of $550,000 will also go to similar outreach and advocacy groups in Edmonton and Vancouver.
The remaining $100,000 is being held by PHAC in case of further virus emergencies.
Monkeypox first arrived in Canada in May 2022 and has since spread across the country and around the world.
As of July 20, the number of confirmed cases of the virus is up to 604 across the country, with 2 in Saskatchewan, 12 in Alberta, 40 in BC, 230 in Ontario and 320 in Quebec.
This is a national increase of 304 since July 4.
In June, Canada announced a virus-related travel advisory for anyone going abroad, advising people to “practice enhanced health precautions.”
In response to her country’s numbers, the United States has begun distributing vaccines against the virus, which are effective against both smallpox and smallpox.
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