The Brant County Health Unit is reporting the first confirmed local case of monkeypox.
In a media release issued on Monday, the health unit said it received laboratory confirmation of monkeypox in a Brant resident.
Stefany Snedden, communicationsr with the health unit, said they have been in contact with the individual and have started advising case management for close contacts.
“The risk to the general public at this time is low,” said Snedden.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is part of the same family as smallpox, though typically less severe. It causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, exhaustion and a rash (pox lesions) that often appears a few days after symptoms begin. The rash typically appears on the face but can spread to other parts of the body.
Monkeypox spreads through contact with body fluids, such as fluids from the monkeypox sores, contaminated clothing or bedding, or through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.
“Monkeypox does not generally spread easily between people, nevertheless, Brant residents should be aware of the signs and symptoms of monkeypox and contact their healthcare provider if they suspect they have the virus,” said Snedden.
She said the health unit continues to monitor the situation in the community and will provide updates to the public as new information becomes available. More information about the virus is available at bchu.org/monkeypox
The health unit will be offering monkeypox immunization clinics in the near future. Snedden said there will be more information on the dates of the clinics and eligibility criteria at bchu.org
On Monday, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said the province isn’t seeing rapid growth in cases of monkeypox and its vaccination strategy appears to be working.
Moore said 133 cases had been identified in Ontario as of July 6, with the vast majority being in Toronto and most others with a connection to the city. Public Health Ontario had reported 33 cases two weeks earlier.
All reported cases as of July 6 have been in men between the ages of 20 and 65.