Vancouver Coastal Health is opening more clinics to provide monkeypox vaccines.
The health authority said while the number of monkeypox cases in British Columbia remains low, limited community transmission has been identified in Vancouver.
All cases reported so far in British Columbia have been among men who have sex with men, Vancouver Coastal Health said Monday, but anyone who has close and prolonged contact with a person with monkeypox can be exposed. at risk of infection.
Vaccinations are offered to those 18 and older who are transgender or belong to the LGBTQ2 community and meet additional high-risk criteria.
Vancouver Coastal Health said the vaccine is not recommended for the general public.
5:08 What is monkeypox and how is it transmitted? What is monkeypox and how is it transmitted? – May 20, 2022
Read more: First case of monkeypox reported on Vancouver Island, bringing BC total to 21
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Last week, Island Health reported its first case of monkeypox, bringing the total number of cases in British Columbia to 21.
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All other cases of monkeypox in British Columbia are in the Vancouver Coastal Health Region.
The monkeypox virus does not spread easily from person to person, Coastal Health said. All identified local transmissions involved prolonged skin-to-skin contact, which is thought to be the primary mode of spread of the virus.
Symptoms consist primarily of skin lesions on the mouth and genitals and may also include fever, headache, and joint and muscle pain, according to the World Health Organization. They usually appear one to two weeks after exposure, but can take between five and 21 days.
People are considered infected from the time symptoms first appear to the point the sores are covered and dry new skin is visible, according to the British Columbia Center for Disease Control.
Most patients have mild symptoms and do not need medical intervention, it added.
4:51 Monkey pox case confirmed in British Columbia Monkey pox case confirmed in British Columbia – June 7, 2022
Vancouver Coastal Health said anyone who has been vaccinated should continue to be cautious and take steps to protect themselves and others, especially if they are experiencing symptoms.
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Information about Vancouver Coastal Health’s monkeypox treatment clinics and booking an appointment can be found on its website.
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