“The person has not traveled and that means there could be other cases within the province,” Russell said. “We’re working really closely with our regional public health teams to do contract tracing right now and trace those contacts and offer their vaccines.” At this time, the monkeypox vaccine is not widely available to the public. “We offer vaccines to the contacts of the cases and the cases themselves, so right now, that’s what’s being done,” Dr Russell said. The virus is spread through close physical contact with an infected person, not in the same way as COVID-19. “The virus seems to be in those who have close contact of a sexual nature right now,” said Dr. Mark McMillan, president of the New Brunswick Medical Society. “I don’t think we’re going to see a large number of people that we’re going to start recommending isolation, however, one case can lead to two cases and that can lead to more, so we have to be aware of the fact that this virus is in the country,” he said. McMillan. Health professionals are encouraging Maritimers to be cautious. “Even with COVID-19, there are the same guidelines you can follow when you’re in very close physical contact with someone,” MacMillan said. “You may not know or if it appears to have any infectious symptoms, obviously try to remove yourself from that situation.” But if you’re a healthcare worker, he added, you should wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. Public Health reminds people to remain vigilant when it comes to close physical contact and watch for signs of infection. “The monkeypox virus is contagious to other people within six to thirteen days,” said Dr. followed one to three days later with a rash that is mostly on the extremities,” he said.
