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November 24, 2024 — The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has confirmed the country’s first case of clade I monkeypox, linked to a recent outbreak in central and eastern Africa.
The individual, who recently traveled to the affected region, sought medical care upon returning to Canada and is now isolating, according to PHAC. Public health officials have launched a detailed investigation, including contact tracing, to contain any potential spread.
Laboratory testing by Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory revealed that the sample tested positive for clade I monkeypox, also known as clade Ib. This strain is distinct from clade II monkeypox, which has been present in Canada since 2022.
In a statement, PHAC assured the public that the risk to the broader population remains low. “Canada’s healthcare and public health systems are well-equipped to manage cases of monkeypox,” the agency noted.
Monkeypox, a viral disease, typically causes fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, with symptoms lasting two to four weeks. The clade I variant is considered more severe than clade II, though outbreaks are less common outside endemic regions in Africa.
Health authorities are urging individuals traveling to affected areas to take precautions and to seek medical attention if they develop symptoms.
The discovery of this case underscores the importance of global surveillance and prompt responses to emerging infectious diseases. Canada joins other countries working to monitor and contain the spread of monkeypox, particularly its rarer clade I variant.
