The first case of monkeypox confirmed through laboratory testing has been identified on Vancouver Island, Island Health said Friday.
The case, detected in a person in the south Island, was confirmed by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. Island Health is conducting contact tracing and notification.
The risk to public is “very low,” the health authority said in a statement, noting people with monkeypox have mild symptoms and do not require any interventions.
It said public health teams received confirmation of the monkeypox case on Thursday.
As of Friday, there were 375 cases of monkeypox in Canada, including 18 in B.C. Quebec has the most cases at 248, followed by Ontario with 101.
Health Canada says other countries where monkeypox is not typically seen are also reporting cases, “which represents a highly unusual event.”
Surveillance in areas where monkeypox is considered non-endemic areas has been limited, but is now expanding. The Public Health Agency of Canada says human-to-human transmission seems to be occurring among people in close physical contact with those who are symptomatic. The World Health Organization is providing updates on the global spread of the disease.
Monkeypox does not generally spread easily between people. Most, but not all, recent infections have been among men who have sex with other men.
Within Island Health, vaccinations are being provided to high-risk contacts identified through contact tracing.
Symptoms for monkeypox usually appear one to two weeks after exposure, but can take anywhere from five to 21 days to appear, said Island Health.
The disease can occur in two stages, with flu-like symptoms appearing first, followed by a rash, usually with pus-filled sores or blisters.
People are considered to be infectious from when symptoms first appear until the sores crust over, are dry, and new skin is visible. The virus can spread through skin contact or contact with clothing exposed to open sores.
More information on monkeypox is available through the B.C. CDC website at bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/monkeypox.
ceharnett@timescolonist.com
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