“Human monkeypox is a rare infectious disease and the risk to most people in the community is considered very low,” said Dr Barry Pakes, York Region’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “York Region Public Health continues to monitor the situation and follow up with all close contacts of the two cases, who have both been appropriately isolated,” Pakes said. Officials said monkeypox is caused by a virus that is not easily spread between humans, but is spread through contact with bodily fluids, including contaminated clothing or bedding. It can also spread through respiratory droplets after “prolonged” face-to-face contact and through animal bites and scratches. “Like other diseases transmitted through close contact, people can reduce their risk of exposure to monkeypox by avoiding close contact with people who are unwell, practicing good hand and respiratory hygiene, and practicing safer sex,” said York Region. Trending Stories
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Read more: Confirmed monkeypox cases in Ontario reach 101
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a report released by Public Health Ontario said the province’s monkey count has risen to 101, up from 33 reported on June 22. The majority of cases – 85 – were recorded by Toronto Public Health. Other public health units, such as Ottawa Public Health, reported four cases and two each in Halton and Middlesex-London. One case each was reported in Hamilton, Durham Region, Peel Region, Peterborough, Simcoe-Muskoka, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph and Eastern Ontario health units. The report also noted that all 101 cases of monkeypox in Ontario have been traced to men. 2:46 WHO director calls for increased testing, more access to vaccines and antivirals to fight monkeypox WHO director calls for increased testing, more access to vaccines and antivirals to fight monkeypox – June 29, 2022 © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
title: “York Region Confirms First Cases Of Monkeypox " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-12” author: “Dora Maxham”
The district announced on July 7 that the infectious disease had reached the municipality, with two unrelated cases confirmed. The disease is spreading across Ontario and around the world, with 101 confirmed cases since July 4. However, York’s chief medical officer of health, Dr Barry Peakes, said the risk to the community was still “considered very low”. “York Region Public Health continues to monitor the situation and follow up on all close contacts of the two cases, both of whom have been appropriately isolated,” Pakes said in a press release. Monkeypox is an infection with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches and rashes, with outbreaks occurring worldwide. Canada had 358 cases as of July 6. Most of Ontario’s cases were in Toronto — about 85 of the 101, according to Public Health Ontario. Although the disease is spreading, York Region said it is less easily transmitted than COVID-19. “Monkey pox is caused by a virus that does not spread easily between humans. When it does, it is spread through prolonged close contact, such as between household members or during close contact,” the district said. “It can also be spread through contact with contaminated materials, such as bedding or clothing, or by contact with bodily fluids, such as the fluid from monkeypox sores.” Public health agencies around the world are monitoring the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization chose not to declare it a public health emergency of international concern in June, but said the virus should be closely monitored and that controlling it could require some intense response efforts. The district said the symptoms are common among many diseases and may not indicate monkeypox. However, if you have been in contact with someone with a suspected or confirmed case of monkeypox, or someone with symptoms of monkeypox, you should isolate and contact your healthcare provider. “Like other diseases transmitted through close contact, people can reduce their risk of exposure to monkeypox by avoiding close contact with people who are unwell, practicing good hand and respiratory hygiene, and practicing safer sex,” the region reported. The exact location of the two cases of monkeypox has not been disclosed by public health. When asked about the municipalities in which the cases are located, a spokesperson said that “personal information is not released to protect the privacy and privacy of individuals.” There are monkeypox vaccine clinics available, but the Ontario Ministry of Health said they are for those who may be at higher risk of infection. Health authorities do not currently recommend vaccines for the general population. York Region and other health units said that based on provincial guidelines, pre-exposure vaccines are provided to those who identify as gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men. They must also meet at least one other criterion, which may include two or more sexual partners in the past 21 days, anonymous/casual sex in the past 21 days, sex for work, or a sexually transmitted infection diagnosis in the past two months. More information can be found at york.ca/monkeypox. The province said information on future cases of monkeypox will be available on the Ontario Public Health website.
