Public Health Ontario confirms 11 cases of monkeypox in Ottawa.
The first case in the nation’s capital was confirmed on June 10. The latest figure comes from a recently released report by provincial health officials that shows 156 confirmed cases across the province, the majority of them in Toronto.
Ottawa Public Health says it’s still seeing people test positive for the virus, but vaccines are slowing the spread.
PLEASE READ & RT: We continue to see people testing positive for monkeypox in Ottawa. Vaccines play an important role in slowing the spread.
Find out if you’re eligible for the vaccine and make an appointment here: pic.twitter.com/50Hi7NmaJF
— Ottawa Public Health (@OttawaHealth) July 12, 2022
“OPH, in collaboration with our community partners, administers vaccines to individuals at higher risk for monkeypox – this is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. We are working closely with our partners to share information with the most affected communities. encourage all eligible individuals to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” OPH said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
“OPH continues to work with community partners to offer additional clinics – including in many different settings. We are monitoring the need for additional clinic capacity to ensure that eligible residents have access to the vaccine. We also take a targeted approach to reach individuals by using digital ads through various mobile apps.”
Monkey pox vaccination clinics are underway at the Centretown Community Health Centre. Details on how to get a monkeypox vaccine can be found on the Ottawa Public Health website.
Although the total number of cases in Ontario has passed 100, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said the province’s vaccination strategy is working to stabilize growth in the province.
Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by a virus found in certain species of wild animals in Central and West Africa.
Symptoms of monkeypox include high fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, exhaustion, and a rash that often appears on the face and limbs a few days after symptoms begin. The virus can be transmitted to another person through contact with exposed skin, the respiratory tract, or the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Public Health Ontario says the most commonly reported risk factors include engaging in sexual or intimate contact with a new and/or more than one partner. Although cases have mostly been identified among men who report sexual or intimate contact with other men, anyone can contract monkeypox.
Ottawa Public Health offers the following tips on how to prevent the spread of monkeypox:
- Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Do not kiss, hug, cuddle, or have sex with someone who has or may have monkeypox.
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with monkeypox rashes or lesions.
- Avoid sharing items such as toothbrushes, utensils, sex toys, or drug equipment.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces (such as doorknobs and telephones).
- Avoid touching bedding and laundry that has been in contact with a person or animal that may have the virus.
- Avoid contact with sick or dead animals
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for someone at home who has the virus, including a medical mask and disposable gloves for direct contact with lesions.
–With files from CTV’s Josh Pringle.
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