Someone living in Brant County has tested positive for monkeypox.
The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) says it has received laboratory confirmation of the case and is in contact with the resident to begin case management to determine close contacts.
At this time, BCHU said the case is a low risk to the general public and will continue to monitor the situation, providing updates to the community as they become available.
Monkeypox Immunization Clinics will soon be offered by BCHU, with more information on dates and eligibility to be posted there website.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include:
- A fever.
- Headache.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Low energy.
- Muscle pain.
- A skin rash, usually on the face, hands and feet, or lesions
The number of days between infection and the onset of symptoms is usually six to 13, but can be as long as three weeks.
The lesions, which can range from a few to thousands, may be flat or slightly raised with clear or yellowish fluid before crusting over and falling off as in chickenpox.
Most people will deal with only mild symptoms, but children and people who are pregnant or immunocompromised are at higher risk of worsening symptoms.
The death rate from monkeypox is about one percent, according to Hamilton public health.
How is monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox is caused by a virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. The genus also includes the variola virus (which causes smallpox) and the vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine).
Hamilton Public Health said the monkeypox virus does not spread easily between people.
It can be spread through close contact, including respiratory droplets in the air, skin-to-skin contact, or if someone touches contaminated surfaces such as clothing or bedding.
It can also be spread through bites or scratches from infected animals.
Close contacts should self-monitor for symptoms for 21 days after their last exposure.
A person can be infected five days before the rash appears and until new skin forms over the cleared rash.
How do you treat it?
There is no specific treatment for monkeypox virus infections. Symptoms disappear on their own, in two weeks to a month.
People who have been exposed to monkeypox can receive the Imvamune smallpox vaccine, which can prevent infection or reduce the severity of symptoms.
Last week, the city hosted a pop-up vaccine clinic for at-risk community members that was by appointment only. Over 60 doses have been administered.
Hamilton Public Health said other ways to avoid infection include physical distancing, hand washing and wearing a mask.
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