Canada now has 210 confirmed cases of monkeypox, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said Wednesday.
On June 22, Quebec reported 171 cases, while Ontario reported 33. Alberta so far has four cases while there are two in British Columbia.
Read more: Monkeypox: Vaccine recommended for Canadians at high risk of exposure
Smallpox is a viral disease caused by the smallpox-related genus Orthopoxvirus.
The virus enters the body through broken skin, airways or mucous membranes, the PHAC states on its website.
Canada reported its first case of smallpox in Montreal on May 19.
The IMVAMUNE vaccine was approved by Health Canada during the same month for the prevention of smallpox in adults 18 years of age and older.
The story continues under the ad
On June 21, the Quebec Department of Health administered 5,895 doses of the vaccine, according to The Canadian Press.
1:13 Monkeypox Awareness and Non-Stigmatization Are Important with Upcoming Pride Celebrations: Tam Awareness and Non-Stigmatization of Monkeypox Celebrations Are Important with Upcoming Pride Celebrations: Tam
Toronto Public Health (TPH) and community partners have been conducting monkeypox vaccination clinics since last week to help protect “people at risk.”
Trend stories
-
Canada’s inflation rate reached 7.7% in May, driven by rising gas and food prices
-
The father of Ontario whose 3 children were killed by a drunk driver in 2015 dies by suicide
TPH states that the clinics are aimed at people who have been in physical contact with “someone who has recently tested positive for monkeypox; have had two or more sexual partners; have been diagnosed with a chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis infection for the past two months; having attended baths, sex clubs, and other sexual contact sites for the past 21 days; and having participated in or planned to have casual sex or sex work. “
Ottawa Public Health also held its first monkeypox vaccine clinic on Wednesday.
Read more: 10 new cases of monkeypox confirmed in Toronto; 33 cases in Ontario so far
The story continues under the ad
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 2,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported in 42 countries with the majority in the UK.
People can spread the monkey’s smallpox through close contact with an infected person or animal, or from material contaminated with the virus, the WHO says.
– with archives of The Canadian Press
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.