The Canadian Public Health Agency has issued a travel notice as the monkeypox virus continues to spread around the world.
Travelers are advised to apply enhanced health precautions as recommended by Level 2.
Read more: Quebec already has 90 confirmed cases of monkeypox
“Clusters of monkeypox have been reported in several countries internationally, outside the Central and West African regions where cases are commonly found,” the Public Health Agency (PHAC) said in a statement on Tuesday. “During your trip, you may be subjected to procedures in your destination introduced to limit the spread of monkeypox, such as isolation if you become infected.
Canadians may also have limited access to timely and appropriate health care if they become ill and may experience delays in returning home, the PHAC warned.
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The Travel Council does not list specific countries, but cases of monkeypox have been reported in places such as the United Kingdom and the United States.
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“PHAC is working closely with international, provincial and territorial health partners to gather information on this evolving issue,” the agency said.
In Canada, Quebec has so far reported 90 cases of monkeypox and administered 813 doses of the vaccine. Five cases have also been found in Ontario and one in Alberta.
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An additional case has been discovered in British Columbia and has been confirmed by the British Columbia Disease Control Center, but further confirmation is expected from the National Microbiological Laboratory.
PHAC recommends that you consult a health professional or visit a travel health clinic at least six weeks before the trip. It is also recommended to wear a face mask, wash your hands often and avoid close physical contact with sick people.
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Read more: First case of monkeypox confirmed in BC
Since May, more than 700 cases of monkeypox have been found in non-endemic countries, mostly in Europe, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Monkeypox is spread by contact with wounds and objects such as bed linen or towels that contain the virus. It can also be spread by respiratory droplets distributed when coughing or sneezing.
Although it can be transmitted through close contact during sexual activity, it is not known to be spread through semen or vaginal or rectal fluids.
The CDC advises people who have been exposed to watch for symptoms that may occur between five and 21 days after exposure.
They should also limit close contact, including sexual contact, with other people.
Symptoms consist mainly of skin lesions on the mouth and genitals and may include fever, headache and joint and muscle pain, according to the World Health Organization.
Anyone who develops symptoms is asked to visit a medical professional, wear a mask and cover the lesions, and inform the clinic in advance.
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“Anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can become infected and spread the virus if they come into close contact, including intimate sexual contact with an infected person or an infected person,” said Dr. Teresa Tam, Chief Public Officer. healthcare in Canada, said at a briefing last Friday.
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– with files from Elizabeth Maxheffrey of Global News
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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