As of May 25, 2022, several countries, including the United States and Canada have documented clusters of cases of monkeypox virus infections. The situation of monkeypox in Canada is evolving and will be updated as more information becomes available.
To date we are unaware of any cases of monkeypox in the Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington region. KFL&A Public Health has contacted healthcare providers across our region to inform them of the signs and symptoms and how to report suspect cases to Public Health Ontario.
Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic infectious disease (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) found in parts of Central and West Africa, that causes occasional human infections usually associated with exposure to infected animals or contaminated materials. Limited cases have been identified in other regions in the past, including the United Kingdom, United States, Israel, and Singapore, but never before in Canada. For the recent international cases, it is not yet certain how the individuals were exposed to monkeypox virus.
Monkeypox spreads in 3 ways:
Monkeypox is usually a mild illness, and most people recover on their own after a few weeks. People usually develop symptoms 5 to 21 days after being exposed to the monkeypox virus. Symptoms occur in 2 stages and typically last from 2 to 4 weeks.
In stage 1, symptoms may include:
In stage 2 of the illness, a rash develops - usually within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the fever starts. The rash often starts on the face or extremities however it can affect other parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, mouth, and genitals.
The rash usually lasts between 14 and 21 days and changes through different stages before finally forming a scab which later falls off.
You can be contagious and spread the virus 1 to 5 days before the rash develops. You can continue to be contagious until the scabs have fallen off on their own and the skin is healed.
Call a health care provider immediately if:
What should I do if I’ve been to a venue where there was someone with suspected or confirmed monkeypox? |
Monitor for signs and symptoms for 21 days from the day you may have been exposed to someone with monkeypox. See below for what to do if you develop symptoms of monkeypox. |
What should I do if I’ve been in contact with someone who has monkeypox? |
Monitor for signs and symptoms of monkeypox for 21 days from the day of your last exposure to the person with suspected or confirmed monkeypox. See below for what to do if you develop symptoms of monkeypox. Consider wearing a mask (medical mask preferred) when you are in indoors with other people. KFL&A Public Health will work to identify and notify close contacts of a person with monkeypox and may:
If you think you have been exposed to monkeypox, contact KFL&A Public Health to see if you may be eligible to receive the Imvamune vaccine. |
What should I do if I develop symptoms of monkeypox? |
If you develop symptoms of monkeypox (including fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and/or rash or sores) you should contact a health care provider to get advice on testing and/or medical care and tell them if you think you have had contact with a person with monkeypox. You should also follow the recommendations below:
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What to do if I have been tested or test positive for monkeypox? |
If you’ve been tested for monkeypox, self-isolate at home until your test results are known. If your test results are negative, you can stop self-isolating. If you test positive, continue to self-isolate at home until a staff person from KFL&A Public Health contacts you to provide further information about when you can end your self insolation. If you need to seek medical care:
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What treatment is available for monkeypox? |
Symptoms usually go away on their own without the need for any treatment. In specific rare situations, your healthcare provider may recommend a medication for monkeypox. Supportive care for managing symptoms includes:
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How can I care for someone with monkeypox infection, or with symptoms that may be due to monkeypox infection? |
If you need to provide care to someone with monkeypox symptoms or confirmed to have monkeypox, you should:
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What animals can get monkeypox? |
There are several types of animals that have been found to be susceptible to infection with monkeypox, including several species of rodents (e.g., rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, squirrels, chipmunks, etc.), rabbits, hedgehogs, opossums, and non-human primates (e.g., monkeys). It is unknown which other species may be at risk of infection. Precautions should be taken to prevent exposure of any domestic or wild mammals to the virus. Animals with monkeypox have been observed with clinical signs such as cough, fever, eye infections, lack of appetite, difficulty breathing, and rash. Veterinarians that suspect an animal has been infected with monkeypox should call the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs at 1-877-424-1300 to discuss the need for testing and/or management plans. |
I have pets in my home. What precautions should I take if I have monkeypox or symptoms of monkeypox? |
The risk of infection in different animal species is unclear, and because the monkeypox virus could be carried from one person to another on an animal's coat or feathers, it is best to find someone else to take care of your pet until you are out of isolation. If you have or have recently been exposed to monkeypox and have been advised to self-isolate:
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What if my pet becomes sick while I am isolating? |
If your animal is in quarantine with you and becomes sick, it is preferred to first seek care from a veterinary telemedicine service, to assess if the animal’s condition can be managed at home. If your pet must be examined directly by a veterinarian or requires other procedures that cannot be reasonably delayed until the end of the isolation period, your veterinarian should be advised that your pet may have been exposed to monkeypox. Your veterinarian should then contact the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs at 1-877-424-1300 to ensure that they have proper infection control procedures in place and appropriate personal protective equipment prior to attending your pet at home (ideally) or at a veterinary clinic (if necessary). |
I own or work with livestock or poultry, and I think I may have been exposed to monkeypox. What should I do? |
Any person who may have been exposed to monkeypox should not work with livestock or poultry until they are advised by their physician or public health unit that they don’t pose any risk for transmission of the virus. Animal owners are responsible for providing basic care for their animals including food, water, and shelter. Livestock and poultry producers should always have a plan in place for others to provide care for their animals in case of emergencies, including the need to self-isolate due to illness. |