Toronto health officials say they are investigating the first suspected case of monkeypox in the city.
In a press release issued Saturday afternoon, Toronto Public Health (TPH) said the alleged infection was found in a 40-year-old man.
TPH said the patient had recent contact with a person who was traveling to Montreal and is currently in hospital in stable condition and recovering.
Members of the public may have been exposed to the virus if they visited the Axis Club (located at 722 College Street) on May 14 or Woody’s Bar (located at 467 Church Street) on May 13 or May 14.
Officials stressed that the risk to the general public is very low.
“Smallpox is a rare disease caused by a virus that is commonly endemic in Central and West Africa. It was initially identified in monkeys, but its origin remains unknown, “TPH said in a statement.
Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash that often begins on the face and spreads to other parts of the body.
TPH said that in most cases, people with monekypox infection recover on their own without treatment.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is investigating about two dozen possible monkeypox infections in addition to confirmed cases in Quebec, and says the virus itself is spread through prolonged close contact.
It is not clear how widespread the virus is in the country, but Canada’s chief physician said the PHAC is considering offering smallpox vaccines – which can provide protection against monkeypox – to prevent infection.
“Quebec has had some interest in contacts, so this is currently being discussed, but of course we need to know some of the epidemiology as soon as possible,” Chief Public Health Officer Dr Teresa Tam said on Thursday. .
Meanwhile, TPH advises close contact with people with a suspected or confirmed case to monitor symptoms for 21 days after exposure. If symptoms develop, they should isolate themselves, seek care, and be examined.
With files from Canadian Press
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