Canada confirms 1379 monkeypox cases with most cases in Ontario

Canada has confirmed 1,379 cases of monkeypox virus, including 38 hospitalisations, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Most of the monkeypox cases have been reported in Ontario, a province in east-central Canada.

Around 667 monkeypox cases are from Ontario, 515 from Quebec, 150 from British Columbia, 39 from Alberta, 3 from Saskatchewan, 2 from the Yukon and 1 each from Nova Scotia, Manitoba and New Brunswick.

Reportedly, these provinces are waiting for the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to guide this matter. A second-dose strategy is also expected in the coming weeks.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared a global health emergency over the monkeypox outbreak in more than 90 countries. According to WHO, monkeypox is a viral disease that can spread from one person to another person through close contact. It causes fever, chills, rash, and lesions on the face and genitals.

According to experts, it can be spread through hugs, kisses, and sexual relationships. The monkeypox virus has been spreading mainly in men who have sex with other men. The symptoms of the monkeypox virus are similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. People who have particular skin conditions like eczema can get infected with the virus.

Recently, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommended the monkeypox vaccine to people who are in close contact with someone who has monkeypox. CDC also said that a higher-than-expected share of Monkeypox infections was mostly seen in people who already had other sexually transmitted infections. CDC also warned that kids below the age of 8 are more vulnerable to developing severe illness if infected with the monkeypox virus.

According to experts, people exposed to the monkeypox virus are often given one of several smallpox vaccines, which are effective against the disease.