Ottawa: The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed a total of 477 cases of monkeypox in the country as of Wednesday. PHAC provided an update on these confirmed cases, which include 284 cases from Quebec, 156 from Ontario, 29 from British Columbia and eight from Alberta, reports Xinhua news agency. PHAC said that going forward, case numbers could change as provinces and territories continue to receive confirmatory test results from PHAC’s National Microbiology Laboratory.
According to PHAC, the provinces and territories under their jurisdiction are reviewing case data, and those meeting the case definition will be notified to PHAC for inclusion in the national investigation. The National Microbiology Laboratory is conducting clinical trials for the virus that causes monkeypox. In addition, the laboratory is conducting whole genome sequencing, an enhanced fingerprint analysis, on samples from Canadian monkeypox, PHAC said. ALSO READ: Mahatma Gandhi statue desecrated in Hindu temple in Canada, India says ‘hateful act’ has hurt sentiments ‘deeply’
Monkeypox is a sylvatic zoonosis that can cause infection in humans and the disease most commonly occurs in forested parts of Central and West Africa. It is caused by the monkeypox virus which belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, according to the World Health Organisation.
What exactly is monkeypox virus?
Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that resembles human smallpox. It was discovered in 1958 in research monkeys, and in 1970 the first human case of monkeypox was reported. The disease is mostly found in tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. The virus is a member of the Poxviridae family, which also includes the viruses that cause smallpox and chickenpox.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
Monkeypox usually manifests as fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, and can lead to a variety of medical complications. Symptoms usually last two to four weeks and the disease is self-limiting. Serious cases are also possible. In recent years, the case fatality ratio has been reported to be around 3-6%, but it can reach as high as 10%. No deaths have been reported in the current outbreak.
How does the monkeypox virus spread?
Monkeypox is spread to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or through contact with material contaminated with the virus. It is said to be spread by rodents such as rats, mice and squirrels. Monkeypox is spread through contaminated material such as wounds, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets and bedding. However, the virus is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness.
How are cases of monkeypox treated?
The vaccines used to eradicate smallpox also provided protection against monkeypox. New vaccines have been developed, one of which has been approved for disease prevention. According to the WHO, an antiviral agent developed to treat smallpox has also been licensed to treat monkeypox.