Hamilton confirms first local case of monkeypox
Hamilton has its first confirmed case of monkeypox.
The public health unit said in a release Monday the infected resident likely picked up the virus during a recent visit to Toronto, the city with the most cases of monkeypox in Ontario. The infected resident is isolating and their close contacts have been notified.
Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, the city's medical officer of health, said the risk to the public remains low as public health has not detected community transmission of the virus. Monkeypox also does not spread easily, she added, noting the virus - similar to smallpox, but milder - is generally transmitted through bodily fluids.
Hamiltonians should not be concerned going about their routine daily activities," Richardson said in the release.
We continue to closely monitor the situation and advise any 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."
Symptoms for monkeypox usually begin between six and 13 days of exposure to the virus, and include fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, pox and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. Besides bodily fluid transmission, the virus can also spread through bites and scratches from infected animals, contact with monkeypox sores or by sharing contaminated items.
As of June 30, there were 77 cases of monkeypox in Ontario, according to the Ministry of Health.
The bulk have come from Toronto, where there have been 63 confirmed cases and two probable cases. Areas around Hamilton that have also experienced positive cases include Peel with one confirmed case and two probable cases, Halton with two confirmed cases, and Durham and Haldimand-Norfolk each with one confirmed case.
Close contacts of monkeypox patients are eligible to receive the smallpox vaccine, which also renders protection against monkeypox.
Sebastian Bron is a reporter at The Spectator. sbron@thespec.com