Since July 4, a total of 177 new cases have been confirmed in the country, representing a 59% increase in the number of cases over the past nine days. Quebec continues to have the lion’s share of the viral disease, with 284 cases as of July 13, up from 211 cases last week. However, Ontario saw the largest increase in cases of all provinces, from 77 cases since July 4 to 156 cases. British Columbia also saw an increase in cases for the first time in weeks, with 29 cases now confirmed compared to four previously. Alberta continues to have just eight confirmed cases, unchanged from the last update. Story continues below ad
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Monkeypox, which causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, is transmitted to humans from animals caused by an orthopoxvirus, which is related to smallpox, according to PHAC. People can become infected through direct contact with an infected person or from shared contaminated objects, including bedding or towels. “PHAC continues to collect and analyze epidemiological information reported by the provinces and territories to help define the national scope of the investigation and determine whether there are increased risks to human health in Canada,” the agency said in a statement. which was given on Wednesday.
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About 60 countries where monkeypox is not endemic have reported cases of the viral disease, with confirmed cases now at 10,400. The disease occurs mainly in west and central Africa and only occasionally spreads elsewhere. The World Health Organization said on Tuesday its monkeypox emergency committee would reconvene next week and review trends in the outbreak and how effective the countermeasures taken against the virus have been. The panel will also make recommendations on what countries and communities should do to deal with the outbreak, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesusi said on Tuesday during a briefing in Geneva. Story continues below ad 5:05 Health issues: Monkeypox cases on the rise in B.C. and why is Health Canada recalling hand sanitizers? Health Issues: Monkeypox cases on the rise in B.C. and why is Health Canada recalling hand sanitizers? Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, is in close contact with her counterparts in provincial and territorial authorities to ensure that monkeypox cases in Canada continue to be detected and treated quickly, PHAC said in its statement . The National Microbiological Laboratory in Winnipeg, Man. is performing diagnostic tests on the virus and performing whole-genome sequencing – an enhanced fingerprint analysis – on Canadian monkeypox samples, the agency added. “This sequence will help our experts understand the chains of transmission that occur in Canada,” says PHAC. – with files from Reuters. Related News © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
