The person diagnosed with the disease lives in Grey-Bruce, but most likely contracted the infection while visiting the Toronto area, according to the Grey-Bruce Health Unit
NEWS RELEASE GRAY BRUCE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ***************************** The Gray Bruce Health Department reports the first laboratory-confirmed case of monkeypox in the area.
The person diagnosed with the disease lives in Grey-Bruce, but most likely contracted the infection while visiting the Greater Toronto Area. The person is currently self-isolating at home.
Health department staff determined that the individual had only one close contact in the area and are following up on that individual.
“Public Health would like to emphasize that although a case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Grey-Bruce, the risk to the community remains very low,” said Grey-Bruce Medical Officer of Health Dr Ian Ara.
“Only people who have had close, direct contact with a person with monkeypox are at risk of infection. This is not a virus that spreads easily. Anyone experiencing symptoms is advised to self-isolate at home and contact their healthcare provider immediately.
Human monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that historically has rarely been reported outside of Africa. However, the virus has been confirmed in more than two dozen countries, including Canada, during the current multi-country monkeypox outbreak.
The virus was first reported in Canada on May 19, 2022. As of July 6, Canadian provinces and territories have publicly reported a total of 358 cases, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Just over 100 of these cases have been reported in Ontario.
Monkeypox infections are usually mild, with most people recovering on their own in two to four weeks. However, the virus can cause severe illness and death in some individuals.
Symptoms of monkeypox, which usually develop five to 21 days after exposure, occur in two stages. Stage 1 symptoms may include high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and lethargy. A rash or lesions develop in the second stage, usually within one to three days after the onset of fever. The rash usually starts on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.
Monkeypox can spread from person to person through close contact with bodily fluids or skin lesions of an infected individual. It can also be transmitted when a person comes into contact with contaminated clothing or bedding.
A person is considered infectious from the onset of symptoms until the rash/lesions become crusted and the crusts dry and fall off.
All individuals with symptoms are advised to self-isolate at home. Anyone diagnosed with monkeypox should self-isolate until all scabs fall off and heal.
The Gray Bruce Health Department continues to closely monitor the monkeypox situation.
More information is available at publichealthontario.ca.
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