A concerted effort is now underway to curb the spread of monkeypox in Toronto.
The first of several community-based vaccine clinics will be held in the city from tomorrow. This initial clinic will be specifically for Toronto bathroom workers.
Led by Toronto Public Health (TPH) in collaboration with the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH) and other community organizations, the goal of this program is to provide protection to those who have had close contact with someone who has tested positive. smallpox, those with high-risk contacts, and those at higher risk of being exposed to the virus.
On June 10, the National Immunization Advisory Committee (NACI) released a tentative guide on the use of the Imvamune vaccine in the context of smallpox outbreaks. Health Canada approved this vaccine against smallpox, monkeypox and other orthopox-related viruses in 2020 for people 18 years of age and older.
On Friday, there were 11 confirmed cases of smallpox in the Toronto area.
Monkeypox is a virus that spreads through contact with body fluids, including injuries from monkeypox, contaminated clothing or bedding, or through respiratory drops after prolonged face-to-face contact. It can also be transmitted by biting or scratching infected animals.
“Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can infect the monkey’s smallpox by contact with body fluids, smallpox wounds or sharing contaminated items,” TPH said in a June 12 press release.
“However, during this outbreak, in several countries, gays, bisexuals and men who have sex with men have been affected.”
Symptoms may include a rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes. Rash or lesions often appear a few days after the onset of symptoms, applying to the face and spreading to other parts of the body. Most people recover from monkeypox on their own without treatment, the city said.
Anyone who develops any of the signs or symptoms of monkeypox is asked to report it to their healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Toronto Public Health, which works closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Ontario Public Health Service and the Ontario Ministry of Health, is monitoring anyone believed to be exposed to the virus. The health unit is also communicating with local physicians to provide them with information on symptoms, laboratory tests and diagnosis, infection control precautions, treatment and reporting requirements.
Anyone who comes into close contact with a person suspected or confirmed to be infected with the monkeypox infection should monitor their symptoms for 21 days after their last exposure. If symptoms develop, they are advised to isolate themselves, seek care, and be tested.
Some of the ways to reduce the risk of monkeypox include maintaining physical distance, frequent hand washing, and respiratory hygiene, including masking. Common household disinfectants can also kill the monkeypox virus.
Visit the City of Toronto monkeypox website for more information or contact TPH Health Connections online or at 416-338-7600. People can also find more details about monkeypox on the Public Health Agency of Canada website or on the GMSH website.