81 cases of monkeypox confirmed in British Columbia – North Island Gazette

81 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been found in BC, but concerns about infection remain low, according to a report by the BC Center for Disease Control.

BC health officials have reported 69 cases at Vancouver Coastal Health and six each at Island Health and Fraser Health.

The World Health Organization on July 21 declared the monkeypox outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” as cases continue to be reported worldwide.

The WHO director-general said in a July 23 news conference there were now more than 16,000 reported cases from 75 countries and territories and five known deaths in Brazil, Spain and India. According to current assessments, the risk of monkeypox is moderate worldwide, except in the European region where the risk is high due to higher case numbers.

Twenty-eight countries in the European Union/European Economic Area have reported over 13,000 cases as of August 4, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

dr Horacio Bach, clinical assistant professor, Department of Infectious Diseases at UBC, said the statistics are changing rapidly as relatively little is known about the disease at this time.

Because monkeypox shares similarities with smallpox, one strain of this vaccine is being used to treat and eradicate the disease in BC

While anyone can contract the disease, more than 90 percent of current cases have been found in men who have had sexual contact with other men, and there is currently no evidence as to why it’s becoming more prevalent within this group, Bach said.

Currently, only 2SLGTBQ+ individuals are eligible for a smallpox vaccine to treat monkeypox due to this group’s higher risk of disease and lack of vaccine access in the province due to low case numbers.

Bach emphasized the importance of using information and tools to help people in close contact with a positive case and members of the 2SLGTBQ+ community protect themselves if they are at risk of infection.

Bach emphasized that tracking the disease is still in its infancy and it is crucial not to stigmatize its transmission.

He told Black Press Media he doesn’t expect a big spike in monkeypox cases.

Most people aged 50 to 55 are likely protected, Bach said, because they may have received the smallpox vaccine when the disease was highly communicable years ago. People in this age group may have mild to no symptoms if they have received a smallpox vaccine. The last known cases of smallpox were recorded in 1977.

Younger people or unvaccinated people are at a higher risk of developing monkeypox symptoms.

Another oral drug, tecovirimat, was developed by the FDA for smallpox and approved last year but is only available in the US, Bach said, adding that it could be used in other countries if an emergency is needed.

According to the BC CDC, monkeypox is transmitted primarily through physical skin contact with wounds or fluid-filled blisters. It can also be transmitted through items such as bedding or towels with monkeypox virus or respiratory droplets such as coughing and sneezing from close contact with a person with monkeypox.

It is not known to be a sexually transmitted infection like syphilis or HIV.

symptoms

In the first stage, symptoms may include fever, chills, headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, muscle aches, tiredness/fatigue, or other less common symptoms such as nausea, cough, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The second phase usually starts one to five days after the first phase, and rashes (sores/blisters) can appear, which can last anywhere from two to three weeks, according to the BC CDC.

Sores or blisters most commonly appear on the hands, feet, arms, legs, mouth, and/or genitals. The rash changes appearance over time, but eventually it will scab and fall off.

Protection

To avoid contracting the disease, it’s important to isolate yourself from someone with monkeypox and avoid areas they’ve touched to reduce the risk of infection.

Blisters are full of viruses that can spread through residential areas, Bach explained.

Tips he shared include wearing a three-layer or N95 mask in public spaces and particularly when living with someone who has or may have contracted monkeypox. Cleaning surfaces with disinfectant and washing clothes, towels and not sharing items will also reduce risk, he said.

“Isolate when you are sick until symptoms have completely disappeared. It can take up to three weeks.”

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