Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

17 likely monkeypox cases in Montreal: officials

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 May, 2022 10:16 AM
  • 17 likely monkeypox cases in Montreal: officials

MONTREAL - Public health authorities said Thursday they are investigating 17 suspected cases of monkeypox in the Montreal area.

The cases have not yet been confirmed by a laboratory, but Dr. Mylène Drouin told reporters that based on recent outbreaks in Europe and a case reported in the United States, there is a "strong possibility" the infections in the city involve the virus linked to monkeypox.

Drouin said the first cases in Montreal were reported on May 12 from clinics specializing in sexually transmitted diseases, adding that the cases are tied mostly to men who have had sexual relations with other men. Most cases identified in the city are not severe, and their symptoms involve a period of fever and sweating followed by the appearance of a painful rash in the genital area, she said.

Drouin said the disease is transmitted by prolonged close contact and by droplets, adding that there is no risk from activities such as taking public transit, eating at a restaurant or shopping.

"This is not something we can acquire by going to the grocery store," Drouin said.

Most suspected cases in the city involve people who started to show symptoms around April 29, Drouin said. Although the infections were likely acquired through sexual activity, she added, monkeypox is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, "and we don't want to stigmatize one particular community."

She said there are likely other cases in the city that haven't been identified, and she called on people who are showing symptoms of the disease to contact a doctor.

Monkeypox is typically limited to Africa, and rare cases in the United States and elsewhere are usually linked to travel there. A small number of confirmed or suspected cases have been reported this month in the United Kingdom, Portugal and Spain.

On Wednesday, health officials in Massachusetts reported a monkeypox case in a man who had recently travelled to Canada. The man was in Montreal at the end of April to meet friends and returned in early May.

Monkeypox typically begins with a flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes, followed by a rash on the face and body. In Africa, people have been infected through bites from rodents or small animals, and it does not usually spread easily among people.

Monkeypox comes from the same family of viruses as smallpox. Most people recover from monkeypox within weeks, but the disease is fatal for up to 1 in 10 people, according to the World Health Organization.

MORE National ARTICLES

Tai, Ng pledge closer Canada-U.S. trade ties

Tai, Ng pledge closer Canada-U.S. trade ties
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai was in the national capital for a two-day visit, her first to Canada since President Joe Biden appointed her as his principal international trade emissary last March.

Tai, Ng pledge closer Canada-U.S. trade ties

B.C. aims to support repeat offenders

B.C. aims to support repeat offenders
Attorney General David Eby said a small group of people is creating disorder and chaos, mostly in downtown cores, as businesses are trying to recover from the pandemic.

B.C. aims to support repeat offenders

Remains of young girl found in Toronto dumpster

Remains of young girl found in Toronto dumpster
Investigators said they have not been able to determine the girl's cause of death, nor do they know just when she might have died, but they think her remains were placed in the dumpster sometime between last Thursday and Monday.

Remains of young girl found in Toronto dumpster

Liberals name RCMP officer in B.C. byelection

Liberals name RCMP officer in B.C. byelection
Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon says in a statement that he is committed to building a team with diverse backgrounds, and Sturko's experience on the front lines of the opioid crisis is an "outstanding example."

Liberals name RCMP officer in B.C. byelection

Richmond RCMP investigating alleged assault involving racial slurs, victim allegedly threatened the suspect while brandishing a knife.

Richmond RCMP investigating alleged assault involving racial slurs, victim allegedly threatened the suspect while brandishing a knife.
There are allegations that following the assault the victim allegedly threatened the suspect while brandishing a knife. There were multiple witnesses to this incident.

Richmond RCMP investigating alleged assault involving racial slurs, victim allegedly threatened the suspect while brandishing a knife.

Vancouver Police seek witnesses to serious South Vancouver collision

Vancouver Police seek witnesses to serious South Vancouver collision
As the driver of a Toyota Matrix was making a left turn on East 57th Avenue from Fraser Street, he was struck by the driver of a Honda CR-V that was travelling south on Fraser Street at around 9 p.m. on April 27. Investigators believe speed was the main cause of this collision.    

Vancouver Police seek witnesses to serious South Vancouver collision