The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) issues this statement to provide an update on its ongoing response to monkeypox. PHAC continues to work closely with provinces and territories to ensure collaboration and coordination of Canada’s strategic response to address this situation. The Government of Canada took immediate action after the confirmation of the first cases in Canada. The ongoing response has included the development of guidelines on infection, prevention, and control; provide laboratory testing, sequencing, and orientation to provinces and territories; collaborate with community organizations; and deploy vaccines and treatments in provinces and territories.
OTTAWA, ON, June 27, 2022 / CNW / – On June 23, 2022, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) convened its Emergency Committee on International Health Regulations (IHR) to discuss the multinational smallpox outbreak. Over the weekend, in a press release, the Director-General of WHO confirmed that he agreed with the advice offered by the committee and that the multinational outbreak, at present, was not being declared as a public health emergency of international interest (PHEIC). However, the RSI Emergency Committee unanimously acknowledged the emergency nature of the event and that controlling the spread of the outbreak requires intense response efforts. The Committee advised that the event should be closely monitored and reviewed within a few weeks, once more information on current unknowns is available, to determine whether significant changes have occurred that may warrant reconsideration. of his advice.
Since the onset of the smallpox outbreak, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has been working with national and international partners to protect the health of everyone in Canada. The Government of Canada activated its Health Portfolio Operations Center with confirmation of the first cases. The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) continues to perform tests to confirm a diagnosis of monkeypox for suspicious cases, while provincial / territorial public health and health care systems are conducting case investigations and outbreak management. Provinces and territories also have access to Canadian-approved vaccines that can be used to manage monkeypox in their jurisdiction. The National Immunization Advisory Committee (NACI) issued recommendations for the use of IMVAMUNE, a vaccine approved by Health Canada, for immunization against monkeypox. Provincial and territorial public health authorities have launched their smallpox vaccination campaigns and have begun vaccinating the most at-risk populations.
PHAC continues to provide periodic updates on monkeypox outbreaks through public reports and to Canada.ca/monkeypox, including the publication of interim infection, prevention and control (CPI) guidelines, case management guidelines, and contacts, a national definition of smallpox cases, guidance for health professionals, and information on risks and symptoms to raise awareness.
Public health leaders across the country are working together on the monkeypox response. PHAC is working with stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, health medical directors through the Pan-Canadian Public Health Network, and international partners / networks, to raise awareness of the most at-risk populations. This includes equipping them with the guidance and tools needed to help manage smallpox cases and involve jurisdictions in the Public Health Network and other federal, provincial, and territorial boards to share and analyze information, and to develop an approach to to support the effective and timely management of outbreaks in Canada.
In addition, PHAC is supporting community organizations in the regions currently most affected by the smallpox outbreak to reach populations at highest risk of infection, with timely information on how to protect themselves and help curb the spread of the smallpox of the monkey.
Global understanding of monkeypox virus is still evolving, and Canada is leading to help improve our understanding of the current monkeypox outbreak, including the mobilization of experts and the exchange of available scientific evidence to report the answer. Recently, a panel of experts was convened on several occasions to advise on what is known and what is not known about monkeypox, including possible research priorities and how to manage potential risks for Canada. Canada has also participated in a WHO-sponsored event to develop a research and development plan and has participated in a review of academic evidence of the best available evidence currently available for the smallpox outbreak.
As the monkeypox outbreak is ongoing, the Government of Canada will continue to work with the provinces and territories to assess the risks to people in Canada, respond to developments and continue to provide updates to the public on as new information becomes available.
SOURCE Canada Public Health Agency
For more information: Contacts: Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]