The York region has reported its first two confirmed cases of the Monkeypox virus.
The cases, which are not believed to be connected to each other, were reported Thursday by York Region Public Health.
“Human smallpox is a rare infectious disease and the risk to most people in the community is considered very low,” Dr. Barry Pakes, York region’s medical director of health, said in a press release. . “Public health in the York region continues to monitor the situation and follow up with all close contacts in both cases, who have been adequately isolated.”
The latest data released by Public Health Ontario suggests that there are currently 101 confirmed cases of Monkeypox in the province, including 85 cases in Toronto.
This is more than three times the number of cases confirmed in the province on June 22.
In addition to the York region, cases have been identified in Toronto (85), Ottawa (4), Halton (2), Middlesex-London (2) and eight other public health units, including Hamilton, Peel, Durham and Simcoe-Muskoka with one case each.
Public health in the York region says Monkeypox is “caused by a virus that does not spread easily among people,” which reduced the risk of widespread infection.
“When it does, it spreads through prolonged close contact, such as between household members or during intimate contact (e.g., skin-to-skin contact, sex). It can also spread through contact with contaminated materials, such as now bedding or clothing, or by contact with body fluids, such as monkeypox ulcer fluid, ”the press release notes.
Public Health Ontario says the most common symptoms seen with a Monkeypox infection have been a noticeable rash (76.2 per cent of cases), fever (56.4 per cent of cases), swollen lymph nodes (54.5 per cent). hundred cases) and oral / genital. injuries (51% of cases).