The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says it has now confirmed a total of 16 cases of smallpox in the country, all in Quebec.
The latest update on the spread of viral disease came in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.
The statement said the National Microbiology Laboratory of Canada continues to receive samples from various jurisdictions for confirmatory testing.
“Right now, local health clinics are identifying and treating cases of smallpox in the monkey,” the statement said.
“There is ongoing planning with the provinces and territories to provide access to approved vaccines in Canada that, if necessary, can be used to manage smallpox in their jurisdiction.”
The PHAC says it has given Quebec a small shipment of the Imvamune smallpox vaccine from Canada’s National Strategic Emergency Stock, with other jurisdictions able to receive some supplies.
In April, Public Services and Procurement Canada tendered to purchase 500,000 doses of Imvamune vaccine between 2023 and 2028.
There is currently no need for mass immunizations, says the PHAC.
“I know Canadians are worried,” Duclos said in a statement Tuesday. “The Government of Canada is prepared to respond to emerging public health events and is taking precautions to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases.”
The national lab received its first samples during the week of May 16, before announcing the first two cases of monkeypox identified in Quebec on May 19. That number rose to five cases the next day.
Since then, other possible cases of monkeypox have emerged in Canada. On Wednesday, Toronto public health authorities said they had identified two new suspicious cases in the city, along with a probable case that is being investigated.
Monkeypox is a rare disease that was first discovered among monkey colonies used for research. Historically, it has also been transmitted from animals to humans, with the first human case recorded in 1970. The virus can be spread by close contact with an infected animal, human, or contaminated material.
The federal government is ready to help provinces and territories develop their own means of testing for the disease in order to control it more easily, Duclos said.
“Our surveillance system works, as does our testing system, although we will continue to refine both, including support for provinces and territories to build their own testing capabilities so that cases can be identified and tracked in a even more efficient, “Duclos said.
The government will also provide updated guidance on infection prevention, as well as procedures on isolation and case management. Canadians can expect the National Immunization Advisory Committee (NACI) to also provide additional guidance in the coming weeks.
In his statement, Duclos stressed that the appearance of monkeypox is not the same as COVID-19, which quickly became a global pandemic.
“I want to reiterate to Canadians that this is a different situation from the one we saw with the advent of COVID-19,” Duclos said in a statement. “While the global understanding of monkeypox virus is still evolving, we have a supply of vaccines, which we are sure to maintain, and we are working hand in hand with our provincial and territorial counterparts to implement our response plan to as soon as possible “.
In an effort to avoid contracting the disease, Canadians are encouraged to physically stay away from those around them, wash their hands often, and wear masks in crowded environments.
Archived by CTV News and The Canadian Press
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