Hamilton reported its first case of the monkeypox virus.
Hamilton Public Health said Monday the resident was “most likely infected during a recent visit” to Toronto.
He added that the person is currently in isolation and all close contacts have been notified.
“Currently, the risk to the general public remains very low as we have not detected the virus circulating in Hamilton and the virus does not spread easily. Hamilton residents should not have to worry about going about their routine daily activities,” Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, the city’s medical officer, said in a statement.
“We are continuing to closely monitor the situation and advise all individuals who develop symptoms or who have had close contact with a suspected or known case of monkeypox to contact their healthcare provider and local public health unit immediately.”
As of June 30, there are 77 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Ontario. Of these, 63 are in Toronto.
Public Health Ontario said all the cases were in men between the ages of 23 and 65.
The PHO notes that the most commonly reported symptoms are rash, oral/genital lesions, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, chills, myalgia and fatigue.
“Although cases were identified primarily among men who reported sexual or intimate contact with other men, anyone can get monkeypox,” the PHO said in its report.
Nationally, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported 300 cases of monkeypox on Monday, with Quebec having the most infections at 211.
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