Sask. Response to monkeypox questioned at international conference in Montreal | CBC News

Saskatchewan’s track record in dealing with infectious diseases has been called into question internationally.

The 24th International AIDS Conference was held in Montreal last week. The increasing number of monkeypox outbreaks worldwide has become a topic of discussion as cases have spread in recent months.

One researcher expressed concern that some regions are not taking such outbreaks seriously enough, citing Saskatchewan.

“We know there have been many challenges in Saskatchewan, both with HIV and with sexually transmitted infections, especially among vulnerable populations, including Indigenous communities,” said Marina Klein, director of research and professor of medicine in the Department of Infectious and Chronic Viral Diseases McGill University in Montreal.

While Saskatchewan has only reported two cases of monkeypox, both in July, more than 19,000 cases have been reported in 78 countries over the past few months.

Comparisons have been made with HIV because the disease is most easily transmitted through prolonged personal or sexual contact. The majority of reported cases involved men who had sex with other men.

Saskatchewan has had elevated HIV transmission rates for years, often with the highest rates in Canada.

In 2021, there were a record-breaking 237 diagnoses, an increase of nearly 30 percent from the previous year and more than double the national average.

The province also struggles with other sexually transmitted infections.

For example, the rate of syphilis cases in Saskatchewan rose 891 percent from 2016 to 2020, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, also two to three times the national rate. Much of these increases are seen in vulnerable communities, including First Nations.

Saskatoon’s Prairie Harm Reduction has begun providing customers with information about the risks and precautions associated with monkeypox.

Kayla DeMong, the executive director, says groups like her have cause for concern, as any easily spread disease or illness is of concern to agencies working with the vulnerable in Saskatchewan.

“It’s hard to have much faith in our province when we’ve consistently seen massive gaps in adequate planning for pandemic health and endemics in vulnerable populations,” she said.

She attributes this to a lack of consideration on the part of those leading the fight to contain these diseases.

“When plans are made, they often aren’t made [with] vulnerable populations in mind,” she said. “They are made for a general population.”

She noted that numerous Saskatoon-based organizations that work with vulnerable people meet regularly to discuss the challenges their clients face, including monkeypox.

In the meantime, the Department of Health will say only that Saskatchewan’s risk of contracting the disease is low and that the province is keeping a close eye on cases.

“The Saskatchewan Department of Health is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada to investigate all reports of potential cases of monkeypox in Saskatchewan. Health authorities and physicians are advised to be vigilant and to consider monkeypox in their differential diagnosis of patients presenting with unusual rash as well as other clinical signs consistent with monkeypox,” the ministry said in a written statement.

The statement also notes that information is disseminated.

“Public awareness and education will be provided through the Saskatchewan government website, social media and various outreach efforts. The Saskatchewan Health Department is currently in the process of conducting outreach with identified high-risk community organizations and businesses (food banks, gyms, clubs, etc.) to better educate the public about potential risks.”