The British Columbia Disease Control Center has confirmed that there are no suspected cases of monkeypox in the province.
“Public health interviewed two people, but an investigation found that they were not considered contact cases because they had not been uncovered,” the BCCDC said in a statement.
“No suspicious cases or contacts with monkeypox are currently being investigated in British Columbia.”
Canada’s chief public health official said earlier Friday that there are now just under two dozen cases of monkeypox in Canada and some suspected cases in British Columbia
Dr Teresa Tam said on Friday that “people being investigated by local authorities are being followed in Quebec, but then in British Columbia”.
So far, only two cases have been confirmed in Quebec, the first in Canada.
Read more: The spread of monkeypox is “unusual”, but the risk for Canadians is “low”, officials say
The story continues under the ad
“A report on monkeypox was sent to regional health authorities and medical microbiologists with information on symptoms, laboratory tests and diagnosis, precautions for infection control, treatment and notification / reporting requirements,” the BCCDC said in a statement. “Clinicians are asked to notify their regional health authorities and the local microbiologist of any possible cases.
3:47 Best Canadian Doctor Discusses Monkey Vaccine Strategies Best Canadian Doctor Discusses Monkey Vaccine Strategies
Monkeypox is a zoonotic infectious disease that causes accidental human infections, usually associated with exposure to infected animals or contaminated materials, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Popular stories
-
China will see Canadian Huawei, ZTE’s bans as a “slap in the face”, experts warn
-
Canada confirms the first 2 cases of monkeypox in Quebec
“Limited cases have been identified in other regions in the past, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Israel and Singapore, but never before in Canada,” the agency said.
While the spread of human-to-human monkeypox is uncommon, close contact with an infected individual through body fluids, skin lesions such as blisters and / or respiratory droplets can transmit the virus, the PHAC said.
The story continues under the ad
Read more: Canada confirms first 2 cases of monkeypox in Quebec
Sharing clothes, bedding, or common items that have been contaminated with liquids or wounds on an infected person can also spread the virus.
The United States on Wednesday confirmed its first case of monkeypox this year in a man who recently traveled to Canada.
Health officials in European countries, where cases of monkeypox have been detected this month, said the majority of cases are men who have sex with men.
5:55 Monkeypox: What is it and is it a cause for concern? Monkeypox: What is it and is it a cause for concern?
There, he said on Friday that there may be more cases announced in the coming days, as tests are still ongoing.
“There are samples in the process of being processed at the National Microbiological Laboratory as we speak, so we can expect to hear more confirmations in the coming hours and days,” Tam told reporters during a news conference on Friday.
The story continues under the ad
– with files from Saba Aziz
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Add Comment