In a press release on Saturday morning, the health authority said it issued the warning “due to recent known cases associated with this source of transmission” and after “information reported to public health regarding travel within and outside the province”. According to the Public Health Service of Canada, there are 1,059 publicly reported cases of smallpox in the country as of Friday, including three in Saskatchewan. Dr. Saqib Shahab, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said during a press conference Saturday morning that evidence suggests the Saskatchewan exposures have occurred due to anonymous sex with people coming into the province. Saskatchewan Medical Director of Health Dr. Saqib Shahab spoke to reporters in Regina on Saturday about monkeypox in Saskatchewan. (Matthew Howard/Radio-Canada) So far, the exposure has been in the gay, bisexual and MSM, or men who have sex with men, communities, he said. “It changes the risk because now we think there’s a greater risk of continued transmission that we might see in Saskatchewan, especially in that community.” However, anyone in close contact with someone who has symptoms is at risk, according to the World Health Organization. In Saskatchewan, eligibility for the Saskatchewan monkeypox vaccine has been extended to anyone 18 years of age or older who is either in close contact with a person with monkeypox or is judged to be at higher risk of exposure. That includes people who are transgender or identify as two-spirit, bisexual, gay or men who have sex with men, says the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Saskatchewan is seeing trends similar to those in another province, but here, there have been “only travel-related cases.” All three Saskatchewan cases occurred outside the province or country, Shahab said. The province’s “focused approach,” learning from Ontario and Quebec — which have accounted for nearly 90 percent of Canada’s cases so far — could prevent cases from rising here, he said. “It is recommended that while this outbreak is happening, you can limit your partners and avoid having anonymous partners who are difficult to contact in case of risk of exposure,” Shahab said. There have been 28 monkeypox hospitalizations in Canada after lesions developed around the mouth or genitals, he said, but only two cases were severe enough to require intensive care. No deaths from the disease have been reported so far.
How to get vaccinated
Public Health Canada says it has distributed 99,000 doses of Imvamune, the monkeypox vaccine, to the provinces and territories. As of Thursday, 50,000 doses had been administered, the health service said. Shahab initially said “a larger portion” of the creatures went to Ontario, Quebec, B.C. and Alberta, which have higher numbers of monkeypox. “All other provinces had very limited volumes of vaccine available for post-exposure prophylaxis. Out of 150 doses, we have used about seven so far for contacts of known cases,” he said. “We have ordered additional vaccines because we now offer pre-exposure prophylaxis and continue to do so based on demand.” He said only one dose is needed either before or after exposure, but that guideline can change and an infected person may need a second dose if exposure continues. The chief medical officer suggests isolation if smallpox develops. While testing volumes are low, Shahab said the province believes it has not missed any cases. People who think they have been exposed to monkeypox can contact Healthline 811 to determine if they are at risk or eligible for a vaccine. The vaccines will be available at several locations across the province, Shahab said. “We are optimistic that this can be contained.”
What is monkey pox?
Monkey pox is a rare viral disease that causes fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and lethargy, followed by the development of a rash on a person’s body. Monkey pox is not easily spread from person to person. It is usually spread through close skin-to-skin contact. It can be spread by touching the bodily fluids or lesions of an infected person. It is also spread by exposure to contaminated items such as bedding or clothing. The Saskatchewan Health Authority said it and the Ministry of Health have increased surveillance for monkeypox and alerted health care providers about signs, symptoms and treatment. Health officials in Saskatchewan are working with the Public Health Service of Canada and the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg to investigate any further possible cases of smallpox in Saskatchewan, Saturday’s press release said.
