More than 7 dozen cases of monkeypox confirmed in British Columbia: latest BCCDC data

About one in 10 cases of monkeypox in Canada has been confirmed in British Columbia, according to the latest data.

In an update Tuesday, the BC Center for Disease Control updated its total to 85 cases of the disease.

The vast majority remains in the Vancouver Coastal Health area, with six cases each confirmed by Fraser and Island health officials.

Health Canada last updated its monkeypox virus outbreak figures on August 5. At that time there were 957 cases in the country, including 81 in BC

At the time, 11.8 percent of Canadian cases were in the westernmost province. Adding four new cases to both lists, the percentage is similar (11.4 percent).

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MONKEY POXEN

The provincial government says it is working closely with its Ottawa counterparts and officials to stop the spread of monkeypox, and the risk to the general population is still considered low, according to the BCCDC.

Public health officials are offering vaccinations for those most at risk, who are currently believed to be men who have sex with other men and have close contacts with confirmed cases.

However, anyone can be affected as it spreads in different ways.

It can spread from animals to people or between people, and through contact with contaminated items such as bedding and towels.

A person does not have to make contact with wounds or blisters. They can also become infected through respiratory droplets through close, personal contact, the BCCDC says.

The disease is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, but because sexual activity involves close contact, some cases have been spread this way.

Monkeypox infections are known to occur in more than 70 countries, leading to a public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization.

SYMPTOMS OF MONKEY POXEN

Monkeypox can present itself in different ways, but most people experience two stages over a period of two to four weeks, says the BCCDC.

Stage 1 can include fever, chills, severe headache, and swollen lymph nodes, as well as back and muscle pain, and tiredness or fatigue.

Some in stage 1 may also have a sore throat, cough, nausea, or diarrhea, although health officials say these symptoms are less common.

Stage 2 begins between one and five days later in most cases, the CDC says, and includes the sores or blisters that give the disease its name.

According to the BCCDC, smallpox most commonly occurs on the feet, hands, arms, legs, mouth and genitals. In most cases, they last between two and three weeks.

And those wondering if they have the condition should note that the rash sometimes changes in appearance, so it can start out as small spots and later become fluid-filled blisters. Eventually they turn into crusts and fall off.

Not everyone has the same symptoms, and health officials say patients can experience the phases in reverse order, skip phase 1 entirely, or have sores in just one spot.

These smallpox can also look different. Here’s a photo that the BCCDC uses as a reference.

WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE MONKEYPOX?

Those who think they have been exposed are asked to monitor themselves for symptoms, as it can take up to three weeks for signs to develop.

If they have not been contacted by public health, they are asked to call their local health authority. Public health officials are trying to do contact tracing to ensure immunizations of exposed or vulnerable people.

If a person becomes ill, they should contact their doctor immediately and tell them that they have been in contact with a case or suspected case.

Until they’ve been tested, they should avoid all kinds of close contact with others, especially those who are at higher risk of developing a serious illness. This includes pregnant women, children and people with weakened immune systems.

They should not share towels, clothing, bedding, or anything that has come in contact with their skin, and cover wounds and blisters with clothing or bandages.

They are advised to wear a face mask around others, have someone else look after their pets if possible, and dispose of any contaminated materials in a “high quality” garbage bag.

These items should be placed in pet-proof containers to keep pets and other animals, including rodents, out of reach, the BCCDC says.

If they test positive, they will receive further guidance from public health.

Fortunately, most people who contract monkeypox recover on their own after going through a mild illness.

However, some cases are moderate to severe and may require further treatment, including medication or hospital treatment.

There is no established treatment for monkeypox, but antiviral medications are sometimes prescribed.

Anyone who tests positive and then experiences worsening or new sore throat or rectal pain, high fever or chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, or new smallpox lesions on multiple parts of the body should go to an emergency facility or emergency room.