Federal health officials provide update on monkeypox

In Canada as of August 12th, a total of 1059 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported nationally, including 511 cases in Ontario, 426 in Quebec, 98 in British Columbia, 19 in Alberta, 3 in Saskatchewan, and 2 in the Yukon. Among cases for whom additional information is available, over 99% are male and the median age was 35 years.

Monkeypox infection is usually a self-limited illness, and while most people recover on their own after a few weeks, the accompanying rash can be painful and could affect any part of the body. In some circumstances, people can become very sick and in rare cases death can occur.

To date there have been 28 reported hospitalizations, including 2 ICU admissions and no deaths due to monkeypox in Canada.

In line with international trends, the majority of confirmed cases in Canada with available information on exposure history reported intimate sexual contact with other men. Nationally, less than one percent of confirmed cases with available information on age and sex were in females or people under 20 years of age. Internationally, women and youth, likewise account for one percent or less of reported cases.

Canada’s Chief Medical Officers of Health have stood up a Special Advisory Committee (or SAC) on the Monkeypox response, much like was done for COVID-19 over two years ago. To date, our discussions have focused on testing, working with community organizations to raise awareness on ways to limit spread of the virus, and deployment of the Imvamune vaccine and therapeutics

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