The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) issued this statement to provide an update on its current monkeypox response. PHAC continues to work closely with the provinces and territories to ensure cooperation and coordination of Canada’s strategic response to address this situation. The Government of Canada took immediate action following the confirmation of the first cases in Canada. The ongoing response includes developing guidelines for infection, prevention and control; providing laboratory tests, sequence and guidelines for provinces and territories; engaging with community-based organizations; and the deployment of vaccines and treatments in the provinces and territories.
Ottawa, Ontario, June 27, 2022 / CNW / – On June 23, 2022, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) convened his International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee to discuss the outbreak of monkeypox in several countries. Over the weekend, in a press release, the WHO Director-General confirmed that he agreed with the advice proposed by the committee and that the outbreak in several countries was not currently declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). However, the IPR Emergency Committee unanimously acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the event and that controlling the further spread of the outbreak required intensive response efforts. The committee advised that the event be closely monitored and reviewed in a few weeks, once more information is available on the current unknowns, to determine whether significant changes have taken place that may necessitate a revision of their advice.
Since the beginning of the smallpox epidemic, the Canadian Public Health Agency (PHAC) has been working with local and international partners to protect the health of everyone in Canada. The Government of Canada has activated its Health Portfolio Operations Center with confirmation of the first cases. The National Microbiological Laboratory (NML) continues to conduct tests to confirm the diagnosis of monkeypox for suspected cases, while provincial / territorial public health and health care systems conduct case investigations and manage the epidemic. Provinces and territories also have access to approved vaccines in Canada that can be used to control monkeypox in their jurisdiction. The National Immunization Advisory Committee (NACI) has published recommendations for the use of IMVAMUNE, a Canada-approved vaccine, for immunization against monkeypox. Provincial and territorial public health authorities have launched their monkey measles vaccination campaigns and started vaccinating higher-risk populations.
PHAC continues to provide regular updates on the monkeypox epidemic through public reporting to Canada.ca/monkeypox, including the publication of Intermediate Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines, case and contact management guidelines, and a national case definition. monkeypox, guidelines for health professionals and information on the risks and symptoms of awareness raising.
Public health leaders across the country are working together to respond to monkeypox. PHAC works with stakeholders, including NGOs, Chief Medical Officers of Health through the Pan-Canadian Public Health Network and international partners / networks, to raise awareness among higher-risk populations. This includes providing them with the guidance and tools needed to support the management of monkeypox cases and engaging jurisdictions in the public health network and other federal, provincial and territorial tables to share and analyze information and develop an approach to support effective and timely management of the epidemic in Canada.
In addition, PHAC supports community-based organizations in the regions currently most affected by the smallpox outbreak to reach populations at higher risk of infection, with timely information on how to prevent and help slowing the spread of monkeypox.
The global understanding of the monkeypox virus is still evolving, and Canada is providing leadership to help improve our understanding of the current monkeypox epidemic, including mobilizing experts and sharing available scientific evidence to inform the response. An expert panel has been convened several times recently to advise on what is known and unknown about monkeypox, including potential research priorities and how to deal with potential risks to Canada. Canada is also participating in a WHO-sponsored R&D plan and participating in a review of the scientific evidence on the best available evidence currently available for the smallpox outbreak.
As the monkeypox epidemic continues, the Government of Canada will continue to work with the provinces and territories to assess the risks to the people of Canada, respond to the evolving situation and continue to provide updates to the public when new information becomes available.
SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada
For additional information: Contacts: Media Relations, Public Health Agency of Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]
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