Manitoba first province to report severe strain of monkeypox

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This article was published 22/11/2024 (379 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Canada’s first case of the more severe strain of monkeypox has been recorded in Manitoba in a traveller who was diagnosed shortly after returning to the province.

The province issued a news release late Friday afternoon that advised the first case of Clade lb monkeypox had been confirmed here.

The health department said the case is associated with the current outbreak of Clade I monkeypox in central and eastern Africa.

Public health officials are investigating the case, including contact tracing.

“The individual was assessed and diagnosed shortly after returning to Manitoba and is currently isolating. Based on travel history and symptoms, specimens were tested and confirmed by the National Microbiology Laboratory for Clade Ib mpox virus,” the release said.

No further information would be released about the infected person, the health department said.

Mpox is an infectious disease that can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain and low energy. Clade I is a more severe strain that has high transmission rates and more pronounced symptoms, including larger lesions.

Cases of the lesser virulent strain have been found in Canada since 2022, including in Manitoba.

Most people can fully recover from the rare disease that spreads from close contact, including intimate or sexual contact or household contact, with someone who is symptomatic, the province said.

It can also spread via contact with infected items such as sheets or towels.

The overall risk to the public is low, the province said.

More information is available at: wfp.to/monkeypox

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca