Lessons learned from COVID-19 are 'silver lining' as we face Monkeypox virus, expert says
CBC
There are now 110 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Canada, including at least nine in Ontario, according to Health Canada.
As of June 9, at least 23 other cases were under investigation in Toronto and Halton Region Public Health confirmed its first case, while there have been no confirmed cases in Hamilton, said Hamilton Public Health Services.
Karen Mossman, a virologist and professor of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at McMaster University, said the silver lining in a potential monkeypox outbreak could be the lessons we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said COVID-19 has increased awareness on how we should proceed with a potential outbreak.
"Many general practices put in place during COVID will help limit infection with monkeypox," she wrote in an email to CBC Hamilton.
"Hopefully COVID will normalize mask wearing, new working arrangements (and associated technologies), better ventilation systems, etc."
But she also warns that concern around an increase in local cases is warranted.
That concern could be linked to few people having immunity against monkeypox, Dr. Mossman explained.
"While the smallpox vaccine is thought to provide protection, vaccination for smallpox ended circa 1970 when the virus was effectively eradicated, and those vaccinated likely have limited remaining immunity," she said.
Fortunately, she said monkeypox doesn't spread as quickly as SARS-CoV-2, and doesn't mutate as quickly as coronaviruses.
"Monkeypox spreads through bites or scratches from an infected animal, or through direct contact with sores or bodily fluids from infected people (example during sex) or contaminated clothing, bedding etc.," she said.
Mossman says there were also lessons to be learned from COVID-19 about how doctors communicate with the public.
"I think there needs to be a balance between transparency and awareness, with reality based on the best available data and knowledge. The public has a right to be aware of what viruses are circulating, and could potentially form a new outbreak," she said.
"This is where it gets challenging, as we often don't know what we don't know, and as we gather more information, those messages change. We absolutely experienced this during COVID – at the beginning there was a lot we did not know, but made assumptions (or best guesses) based on how similar SARS-CoV-2 was to SARS-CoV, and our experience with the pandemic in 2003."
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