The Hamilton resident “likely became infected during a recent visit to the city of Toronto,” the public health unit said in a news release Monday afternoon. “The individual is currently in isolation and Hamilton Public Health Services has notified all close contacts.” CBC Hamilton has contacted the public health unit for further comment. Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, the city’s medical officer of health, said in the press release that the risk to the general public is “very low as we have not detected the virus circulating in Hamilton and the virus does not spread easily.” “Hamiltonians should not have to worry about their daily activities,” he said. “We continue to monitor the situation closely and advise people 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.” This comes as the country has seen at least 100 cases, including 67 confirmed cases in Ontario.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include:
Fever. A headache. Swollen lymph nodes. Low energy. Muscle pains. Skin rash, usually on the face, palms and soles, or lesions
The number of days between infection and the onset of symptoms is usually six to 13 days, but can be up to 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 like chickenpox. Most people experience only mild symptoms, but children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people are at greater risk of experiencing worse symptoms. The fatality rate of monkeypox is currently about one percent, according to public health.
How does monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, and Hamilton Public Health said it is not easily spread between people. It can spread through close contact, including airborne respiratory droplets, skin-to-skin contact, or if someone touches contaminated surfaces such as clothing or bedding. Spread can also occur through bites or scratches from infected animals. Close contacts should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days after their most recent exposure. A person can be contagious for five days before the rash appears and until new skin forms over the cleared rash. Practicing physical distancing, wearing a mask and good hand hygiene can reduce the risk of exposure to monkeypox, according to the public health unit.
How do you deal with it?
There aren’t really any treatment options. Symptoms eventually resolve on their own in two weeks to a month. People who have been exposed to monkeypox can get the Imvammune smallpox vaccine which can prevent infection or reduce the severity of symptoms. The city hosted a pop-up vaccine clinic last week for at-risk community members by appointment only and administered more than 60 doses. Hamilton Public Health said other ways to avoid infection include physical distancing, hand washing and wearing a mask.
