Doctors warn cases of new mpox strain likely inevitable in Alberta
CBC
Alberta infectious disease experts say vigilance is key as concerns grow, internationally, about mpox.
A surge of cases in Africa prompted the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international concern last month.
The upswing was sparked by a new strain of mpox, known as clade Ib.
No cases of the latest strain have been identified in Alberta, or across the country, according to Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Pubic Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
But Dr. John Gill, a Calgary-based infectious diseases specialist, said it's only a matter of time.
"Inevitably, viruses get around. They travel. And we will see it," said Gill, a professor at the University of Calgary.
"It's more easily transmitted with a higher fatality rate. And that's why everyone has woken up — [asking] what can we do, what's going on, how should we prepare?"
AHS has updated guidance for physicians in the province, which includes information on testing, infection prevention and immunization.
"Locally, there's been an excellent effort by the labs to make people aware of how to diagnose this," said Gill.
"We're fortunate that the last epidemic led people of the highest risk to be immunized so that the belief is that they are immune to the new clade. Or if they catch it , it won't be anywhere near as severe."
AHS said 54 cases of the earlier strain of mpox (clade IIb) have been confirmed in Alberta since 2022, including seven this year. Two of the cases were identified in July.
Dr. Stephanie Smith, who has treated cases of the earlier strain in Edmonton, is watching for signs of the latest clade, too.
"The risk right now to Canadians is low," said Smith, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Alberta Hospital.
"I think we need to make sure our health system is aware of looking for cases in those who have travelled."
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