Robert: NL records first probable case of monkeypox

Public health in this province has announced the first probable case of monkeypox.

Speaking earlier today, acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rosann Seviour explained a probable case is an individual who has symptoms and have had close contact with another case, come into contact with an item that may have been contaminated with the virus, or recently travelled to an area where monkeypox exists.

Monkeypox is a mild illness and most people recover after a few weeks.

Symptoms begin to develop anywhere from 5-21 days after exposure and comes in two stages.

Symptoms associated with Stage 1 include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, back pain, and exhaustion.

In Stage 2, a rash typically develops on the face, arms, and/or legs, but can also affect the hands, feet, mouth and genitals. The rash usually lasts between 14 and 28 days, before finally forming a scab and falling off. Individuals are considered contagious from the first day of symptoms until the scabs have fallen off and the skin is healed.

According to the Public Health, monkeypox is spread through close contact with an infected individual, their body fluids including mucus from the nose, saliva, or sores. The virus also has the ability to spread through shared clothing, bedding or common items that could have been infected with a person’s fluids or sores.

In order to prevent the spread of monkeypox, it is recommended to:

• stay home and limit contact with others if you have symptoms or have come into contact with someone who has symptoms
• avoid close physical contact, including sexual contact, with someone who is infected with or may have been exposed to monkeypox
• maintain good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, including:
  • covering coughs and sneezes with the bend of your arm; and
  • wearing a well-fitting mask
• clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and objects in your home

Those who are identified as a contact of someone that has monkeypox, public health may offer a vaccine called Imvamune. Imvamune can provide protection against smallpox viruses, including monkeypox.