Dr Theresa Tam’s comments came a week after the US declared a public health emergency in response to the monkeypox outbreak, which followed the WHO declaring monkeypox a global health emergency last month . “There’s a very different approach to access to authorities and funding in the United States compared to Canada,” Tam said during a mock press conference. “We have different approaches … with provinces being able to declare crises, emergencies at their level,” he added.
Read more: US declares monkeypox a health emergency. Should Canada follow suit?
Story continues below ad Tam noted that when the COVID-19 pandemic first hit Canada two years ago, there was no real declaration at the federal level of a public health emergency under the Emergency Act. “For monkeypox, we’ve already done all the things the US is doing — being able to mobilize vaccines, being able to mobilize therapeutics,” he said, adding that local and provincial authorities have the flexibility to do what they want. must respond. “Health Canada’s regulatory authorities are there on an emergency basis as needed,” Tam said. 4:16 About 50% of monkeypox vaccine supply used, Canada passes 1,000 cases: Tam About 50% of monkeypox vaccine supply used, Canada passes 1,000 cases: Tam In Canada, as of Aug. 10, 1,059 cases of monkeypox have been reported across the country, with Ontario leading the case count with 511 infections, followed by Quebec with 426. To date, there have been 28 hospitalizations, including two ICU admissions, due to monkeypox, but no deaths in Canada. Story continues below ad Tam said there were some “early signs” that cases were slowing in the country, but it was “a little too early to tell.” The growing threat of monkeypox has raised alarm in countries, including Canada, that are not used to seeing such an outbreak, as much remains unknown about the viral infectious disease. 0:49 ‘Too early to tell’ if monkeypox is plateauing in Canada, but some early signs of slowing ‘Too early to tell’ if monkeypox is plateauing in Canada, but some early signs of slowing Globally, more than 31,000 cases have been confirmed in 91 countries, according to the WHO. Tam said this represents a 19 percent increase in global cases over the course of a week. On July 23, the head of the WHO declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern, citing the unprecedented rapid spread of the virus in many countries. the risk it poses to human health and the possibility of interference with international traffic. According to the International Health Regulations (IHR), when a “public health emergency of international concern” is declared, international efforts are required to stop the spread of the virus. This could include sharing vaccines and treatments between countries and taking measures related to travel. Story continues below ad
Read more: Monkeypox cases in Canada top 1,000, with most in Ontario
In Canada, the federal government has deployed to provinces and territories more than 99,000 doses of Imvamune, or the Bavarian Nordic MVA-BN vaccine, commonly used to treat smallpox. More than 50,000 people have been vaccinated since Aug. 11, Tam said. US health officials on Tuesday approved a plan to expand the nation’s limited supply of smallpox vaccine by giving people just one-fifth of the usual dose, citing research that suggests the reduced amount is about as effective. Tam said it was “an important approach to explore” and gather information to see if the same can be applied in Canada. “But for now, we’re working together with the National Immunization Advisory Committee to really advance the one-dose approach first to reach as many people as possible in our most affected populations,” he said. 1:52 Experts urge Canadian officials to take more action on monkeypox spread Experts urge Canadian officials to take more action on monkeypox spread Monkeypox is primarily transmitted through prolonged intimate contact with an infected person, and the majority of cases reported in the current outbreak involve men who have had intimate sexual contact with other men. Story continues below ad The current outbreak in Canada is largely person-to-person, Tam said, but the virus can also be spread through direct contact with contaminated items such as clothing, linens or other personal items. Symptoms of monkeypox include a painful rash that can last 14 to 28 days, which may be accompanied by fever, chills, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain, joint pain, back pain, or exhaustion. 1:23Monkeypox: Canada explores fractional vaccine doses, but focuses on 1st dose push Monkeypox: Canada explores fractional vaccine doses, but focuses on 1st dose push — with files from The Associated Press © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
