Wellington–Dufferin–Guelph Public Health announces first monkeypox case

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Public Health has reported the first case of monkeypox in the region. 

In a press release issued on June 16, the local health unit said they had received confirmation of the first local case of the virus, and that the affected individual is a male aged 20 to 30 who lives in Guelph. 

Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum, associate medical officer of health for WDG Public Health, said in the June 16 press release that there is no increased risk of monkeypox to the general public stemming from the case.  

“The virus is primarily transmitted through contact with fluid from the virus' lesions, so it is important to be aware and take necessary precautions if you are in intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox lesions,” said Tenenbaum. 

Public Health said they are completing follow-up treatment with the individual and will contact anyone else who might be at risk from the case. 

The health unit defines close contact with a positive monkeypox case as “someone who has had intimate, skin-to-skin contact with the monkeypox rash or contact with the case's infectious droplets”.

With no increased risk to the general public, WDG Public Health said no action is required by members of the public. 

“Most people recover on their own without treatment, and close contacts of a positive case can be effectively treated with a vaccine,” said the local health unit. 

Public Health is encouraging residents to be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox and to contact their primary care provider immediate if they have any concerns. 

Human monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which is related to the smallpox virus. It presents with similar, but less severe, symptoms of smallpox. 

Symptoms can include: fever, headache, fatigue, and a rash/lesions (which may appear on the face or genitals and them spread to other areas).