The General Physician Dr. Saqib Shahab speaks in the lobby of the TC Douglas building on Saturday, August 13, 2022 in Regina. Photo by TROY FLEECE/Regina Leader-Post

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Health officials are warning that the monkeypox virus may be spreading in Saskatchewan after several out-of-province cases have been linked back to the province as a site of exposure.

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The head of medical health Dr. Saqib Shahab issued a public advisory about the virus on Saturday, asking people to be aware of the symptoms and be diligent in seeking tests. Three cases have been reported in Saskatchewan since early July, Shahab said, all linked to out-of-province transmission or travel. Shahab said the in-province transmission has now been identified and reported by out-of-province travelers who were exposed in Saskatchewan, prompting the update. “We’re at a stage where we think people are at high risk,” Shahab said. “We believe the situation has changed in the last week (and) there is a greater risk of seeing continued transmission in Saskatchewan.” Monkey pox is spread primarily through prolonged skin-to-skin or face-to-face contact, or with objects such as sheets or other surfaces that have been contaminated by a person while they are infectious. A person can remain infectious for 5 to 21 days after being exposed to the virus, public health said.

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Shahab said transmission without close contact or with an asymptomatic person “is rare,” but public health is still trying to raise awareness about the virus. He said it is extremely important for people to know the risk of transmission and the visible symptoms to keep the outbreak manageable. “All of us should be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox right now, but especially if you think you’ve been in close contact,” Shahab said.

Communities at risk

Transmission has so far been reported in the LGBTQ2S+ and men who have sex with men (MSM) communities, who are currently considered to be at high risk of exposure to the virus. People are advised to be extra careful with anonymous sex partners and be conscientious about monitoring symptoms.

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“It’s very difficult to let people know if you’ve had (anonymous) contact,” Shahab said. “It is good while this outbreak is happening to limit the number of partners and avoid having anonymous partners who are difficult to contact.” With the risk of transmission increasing, Shahab said the province is making the smallpox vaccine more available.

Vaccine eligibility expanded

Vaccine eligibility previously included only adults who had already been in contact with monkeypox. The criteria will now be extended to include pre-exposure individuals who are considered to be at high risk. “Having this more focused approach has really helped (other jurisdictions) catch the outbreak,” Shahab said. “We hope that by taking this approach in Saskatchewan, we can try to avoid a rapid or high increase in cases.”

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High-risk individuals, according to public health, must be transgender, identify as two-spirit, bisexual, gay, or MSM, and either have a recent sexually transmitted infection, or have or plan to have sexual contact with one or more companions lately. six months or plan to travel to an area reporting cases of monkeypox within the next three months. The vaccine is currently given as a single dose, but multiple doses could be given as public health follows the recommendations of the National Immunization Advisory Committee. Shahab said when the federal government deployed 99,000 doses to provinces and territories, Saskatchewan was given 150 doses and has used seven to date, but more are on the way.

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“We have ordered additional vaccines now that we offer pre-exposure prophylaxis (and) will continue to do so on demand,” Shahab said.

Testing is important

People are strongly encouraged to contact HealthLine 811 with concerns about possible exposure, symptoms or questions about the vaccine in order to facilitate testing. “It’s important to look for trials, precisely because we don’t want to miss cases,” Shahab said. Testing volumes are currently low, Shahab said, but people are encouraged to seek testing if they have any concerns. “We are monitoring the situation very closely and we believe that so far we have not missed any case,” Shahab said. “We just want to do what we can in this initial wave and keep case numbers down.”

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About 30,000 cases have been reported worldwide since the outbreak began in April, with about 1,000 cases identified in Canada, mainly in Quebec and Ontario, but also in Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan. Public health chief Dr. Theresa Tam said on Friday that the analysis of sewage can be used to monitor transmission rates of monkeypox, similar to COVID-19. The World Health Organization declared the virus an international emergency on July 23. Shahab this tool is not currently used in Saskatchewan as case numbers remain very low, but could be used if necessary. “If there was a concern that transmission was missing, sewage would be useful,” Shahab said. [email protected] The news seems to be flying at us faster and faster. From COVID-19 updates to politics and crime and everything in between, it can be hard to keep up. With that in mind, the Regina Leader-Post created one Evening headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox to make sure you’re up to date with the most important news of the day. Click here to register.

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