The person diagnosed with the disease resides in Gray-Bruce, but probably acquired the infection while visiting the Greater Toronto Area, reports the Gray Bruce Health Unit.
GRAY BRUCE HEALTH UNIT NEWS RELEASE ******************************* The Gray Bruce Health Unit is reporting the first case of Smallpox confirmed in laboratory in the area.
The person diagnosed with the disease resides in Gray-Bruce, but most likely acquired the infection while visiting the Greater Toronto Area. Currently the individual is isolated at home.
The staff of the health unit has determined that the individual only had close contact in the area and is following up with that person.
“Public health wants to stress that while a case of monkeypox in Gray-Bruce has been confirmed, the risk to the community remains very low,” says Gray-Bruce’s official health doctor, the Dr. Ian Arra.
“Only people who have had direct and close contact with a person with monkeypox are at risk of acquiring the infection. This is not a virus that spreads easily. It is recommended that anyone with symptoms be isolated from home and contact your healthcare provider immediately. “
Human smallpox is a viral zoonotic disease that has historically been rarely reported outside Africa. However, the virus has been confirmed in more than two dozen countries, including Canada, during the current smallpox outbreak in several countries.
The virus was first reported in Canada on May 19, 2022. As of July 6, Canadian provinces and territories have publicly reported a total of 358 cases, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Just over 100 of these cases have been reported in Ontario.
Monkeypox infections are usually mild, with most people recovering on their own in two to four weeks. However, the virus can cause serious illness and death in some people.
Symptoms of monkeypox, which usually develop five to 21 days after exposure, occur in two stages. Stage 1 symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and lethargy. A rash or lesions develop in the second stage, usually one to three days after the onset of the fever. The rash usually begins on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.
Monkeypox can be transmitted from person to person through close contact with the body fluids or skin lesions of an infected person. It can also be transmitted when a person comes in contact with contaminated clothing or bedding.
A person is considered infectious from the onset of their symptoms and until the rash or lesions have become crusty and the crusts have dried and fallen off.
All symptomatic people are advised to isolate themselves at home. Anyone diagnosed with monkeypox should be isolated until all scabs have fallen off and healed.
The Gray Bruce Health Unit continues to monitor closely the smallpox situation.
More information is available at publichealthontario.ca.
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