Quebec reported 15 confirmed cases of monkeypox on Tuesday, up from five on Friday.
The Ministry of Health has released little details about the epidemic, but said public health in Montreal has been investigating cases of oral and genital ulcers, possibly related to May 12 measles.
The investigation is prompted by a recently identified case in the United States in which a U.S. citizen traveled to Canada from the United States
The Canadian Public Health Agency says the person used private transportation to reach Montreal and may have been infected before or during a visit to the city.
The cases are the first time a rare infectious disease has been detected within Canada, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
The agency said last week it was investigating about two dozen possible cases of monkeypox in the country, in addition to confirmed cases in Quebec.
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Toronto Public Health said over the weekend that it was investigating the first suspected case in Ontario.
Read more: 3 more cases of monkeypox confirmed in Quebec, bringing Canada’s total to 5
Smallpox is a rare disease that comes from the same family of viruses as smallpox. This virus causes smallpox, which the World Health Organization declared eradicated worldwide in 1980. It is also linked to the vaccine virus used in the smallpox vaccine.
The disease is common in parts of Central and West Africa and can sometimes cause infections in humans after exposure to infected animals or contaminated materials.
1:28 Suspected cases of monkeypox in Canada raise public health concerns Suspected cases of monkeypox in Canada raise public health concerns
Although rare, the virus can be spread from person to person through contact with blood, body fluids or lesions on the skin or in the mouth or throat of an infected person. It can also be contracted by sharing clothes, bedding, or other common items that have been contaminated with body fluids or wounds of a sick person. Respiratory transmission is also possible by coughing or sneezing.
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Health authorities in Quebec and Canada said the risk of transmission in social circles was low, as close and long-term contact was needed.
Read more: No mass vaccinations against monkeypox needed, says WHO official
In a statement posted on its website, the Quebec Ministry of Health said the most commonly reported symptoms were skin lesions in the mouth and genitals.
Other symptoms to watch out for include fever, night sweats, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, and joint or muscle pain. Health officials warn that these symptoms may occur before or at the same time as skin wounds.
Anyone who has had close contact with a suspected case or with someone showing symptoms of monkeypox has been asked to monitor for symptoms for a period of 21 days.
Close contact is described by the ministry as a person who lives under the same roof as an infected person or has had sexual intercourse with an infected person.
1:07 Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted infection, says WHO Previous video Next video
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As it is possible to transmit the disease up to five days before the onset of symptoms, contact persons are asked to avoid sexual intercourse.
People living with someone who has symptoms should limit their contact with that person and avoid sleeping in the same bed. Wearing masks is also recommended.
Someone who has the disease or has symptoms should consult a doctor and isolate themselves from other members of the household as much as possible. Open wounds should be covered and masks worn when in close proximity to other people. The period of isolation may end once the wounds are covered with a crust.
In most cases, the disease goes away on its own within two to four weeks, although in very rare cases, complications can occur.
Health Ministry spokesman Robert Maranda says Quebec is considering ordering vaccines against the disease from the federal government.
– with files from Sean Boyton of Global News and The Canadian Press
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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