Public Health Agency of Canada raises its Monkeypox alert to “Level 2,” mandating travelers be subject to potential isolation and quarantine.
QUICK FACTS:
- While monkeypox cases in the country remain low and the spread of the virus is not easily transmissible, Canada has announced that travelers may be forced to isolate themselves should they become infected.
- “During your travel, you may be subject to procedures at your destination put in place to limit the spread of monkeypox, such as isolation, should you become infected,” the Public Health Agency said. “You may have limited access to timely and appropriate health care should you become ill, and may experience delays in returning home.”
- In the Canadian city of Quebec, vaccines for monkeypox are now being offered to residents.
OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH ON MONKEYPOX:
“Monkeypox is a rare disease not normally found here in Canada and most people recover on their own without treatment,” according to Ottawa Public Health. “However, we still need to be aware of the symptoms, how it is spread, and how to protect ourselves and others.”
BACKGROUND:
- Monkeypox is a mild viral infection that is endemic in certain parts of Africa, but the recent outbreak in countries where the virus does not usually spread has raised concerns.
- Last month an expert with the World Health Organization said that the spread of the monkeypox will likely be contained in countries outside Africa and warned that the threat is being exaggerated.
- 112 cases of monkeypox have been detected in Canada.
