Low Risk of Mpox Infection for Canadians, Health Canada Says

An electron microscope image of mpox, or monkeypox, provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Health Canada says the risk to Canadians from the latest version of monkeypox or mpox remains low, even after the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global emergency.

Two types of mpox have been detected globally: clade, or group, I and clade II. Clade I is spreading rapidly in Africa, prompting the alert from the WHO.

In Canada, however, there have not been any cases of clade I recorded as of Aug. 14, Health Canada said in a statement that day.

“Although the risk to people in Canada from clade I mpox remains low at this time, the Government of Canada is closely monitoring the mpox situation in the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] and neighbouring countries, while working with domestic and international partners to determine opportunities for support,” the release said.

Health Canada said in an Aug. 16 update clade II is broken down into clades IIa and IIb, and that all cases in Canada have been caused by clade IIb.

They also note that clade II mpox is “less severe” than clade I.

Cases of clade IIb are still being reported in Canada, with a total of 164 cases as of Aug. 12, Health Canada says, including 162 confirmed and two probable cases.

“Cases continue to be reported predominantly among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men,” Health Canada says.

“Most cases have been domestically acquired, suggesting ongoing localized transmission. Severity of cases in Canada remains low, with rare hospitalizations and no deaths reported to date.”

Mpox was first discovered in 1958 in colonies of monkeys that were kept for research, Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPCC) says on its website. The first recorded human case was in 1970 in the DRC.

It is thought that the disease originated in rodents in Central and West Africa, according to IPCC.

How Does Someone Become Infected With Mpox?

Person-to-person transmission can occur through direct contact with an infected person or shared contaminated objects, Health Canada says.

The organization says that people can get the disease if they have direct contact with an infected individual or animal’s body fluids, like blood, saliva, or semen. It can also be transmitted through handling an infected animal, bites and scratches, and from preparing or eating undercooked meat.

Human transmission can occur by touching surfaces, materials, or objects from an infected person. This includes clothing, towels, utensils, toothbrushes, etc.

How Contagious Is Mpox?

The mpox incubation period can be up to three weeks, according to Health Canada’s website.

A person who has symptoms is considered infectious until the lesion scabs have fallen off.

Younger children and those with immune system problems are at risk for complications from the infection, including pneumonia, myocarditis, corneal infection leading to blindness, sepsis, brain swelling (encephalitis), and sore throats.

What Are Mpox Symptoms?

The main symptom of mpox is lesions, which can occur alongside other signs, including fever, chills, sore throat, fatigue, headache, rectal pain, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Lesions can be painful and itchy and usually appear within the first three days after a fever, according to Health Canada. They start off flat and then become pustules and eventually scab over, Health Canada says.

They can appear anywhere on the body, including the mouth, hands, feet, and genitals, and can last up to four weeks.

What Are Health Canada’s Treatment Options for Mpox?

Health Canada says patients with a confirmed case of mpox can take POXX (tecovirimat monohydrate capsules), an antiviral pill used to treat smallpox disease in adults and children. While it does not have “an approved Health Canada indication for mpox,” the agency says it can be used off-label.

There is also a vaccine available for those 18 years or older “who are at high risk for exposure,” says Health Canada.