Peel Public Health has confirmed the first case of Monkeypox in the region. The person is an adult male in his 30’s living in Mississauga. The risk to the public remains low.
Monkeypox virus is part of the same virus family as smallpox. Symptoms can include fever, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and a rash/lesions (which may appear on the face or genitals and then spread to other areas).
If an individual has any symptoms, they should contact their healthcare provider and avoid close contact with others until symptoms have improved and rash/lesion(s) has healed.
Monkeypox spreads though close contact with an infected individual. Most transmission occurs primarily through close contact with the lesions of monkeypox. The virus can be transmitted through large droplets or by sharing contaminated items. Common household disinfectants can kill the monkeypox virus.
Most people recover on their own without treatment. Individuals who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for monkeypox should self-monitor for symptoms, and contact Peel Public Health to see if they are eligible for vaccination.
“The risk to the community remains low,” says Dr. Kate Bingham, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Peel Region. “We are working with our community partners to increase access to vaccine for high-risk individuals in Peel.”
To reduce risk of infection, residents are reminded to use precaution when engaging in intimate activities with others. Vaccination is available for high-risk contacts of cases and for those deemed at high risk of exposure to monkeypox.
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