Hamilton confirms 1st case of monkeypox

Hamilton Public Health Services says it has confirmed the city's first case of the monkeypox virus.

The Hamilton resident "was most likely infected during a recent visit to the City of Toronto," the Hamilton health unit said in a media release Monday afternoon.

"The individual is currently isolating and Hamilton Public Health Services has notified all close contacts."

Public health told CBC Hamilton the case was confirmed over the long weekend.

Spokesperson Shawn Berry wouldn't share any details about the confirmed case. Berry said public health is routinely investigating one to three suspect cases per week, but to date, this is the only confirmed case in the city.

Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, the city's medical officer of health, said in the media release the risk to the general public is "very low as we have not detected the virus circulating in Hamilton, and the virus does not spread easily."

"Hamiltonians should not be concerned going about their routine daily activities," she said. "We continue to closely monitor the situation and advise any individuals who develop symptoms or who have had close contact with a suspected or known case of monkeypox to contact their health-care provider and local public health unit immediately."

This comes as the country has seen at least 100 cases, including 77 confirmed cases in Ontario.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include:

• A fever.
• A headache.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Low energy.
• Muscle aches.
• A skin rash, usually on the face, palms and soles, or lesions

The number of days between getting infected and getting symptoms is usually six to 13, but can be as long as three weeks. 

The lesions, which can range from a few to thousands, can be flat or slightly raised with clear or yellowish fluid before crusting up and falling off like chickenpox.

Most people will only deal with mild symptoms, but children, and people who are pregnant or have immunodeficiencies, have a higher risk of getting worse symptoms.

The fatality rate of monkeypox is around one per cent, according to Hamilton public health.

How does monkeypox spread?

Monkeypox is caused by the virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox) and vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine).

Hamilton public health said the monkeypox virus doesn't spread easily between people.

It can spread through close contact, including respiratory droplets in the air, skin-to-skin contact or if someone touches contaminated surfaces such as clothes or bedding.

Spread can also happen through bites or scratches from infected animals.

Close contacts should self-monitor for symptoms for 21 days after their most recent exposure.

A person can be contagious for five days before the onset of the rash and until new skin has formed over the cleared rash.

How do you treat it?

There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections. The symptoms go away on their own, in two weeks to a month.

People who have been exposed to monkeypox can get the smallpox vaccine Imvamune, which may prevent infection or lessen the severity of symptoms.

Last week, the city hosted a pop-up vaccine clinic for at-risk community members that was by appointment only. Over 60 doses were administered. 

Hamilton public health said other ways to avoid getting infected include physical distancing, handwashing and wearing a mask.