Monkeypox cases spike in Canada – has the risk level changed in the country?

Canada now has 477 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the country since its emergence as part of the unusual global outbreak that started in May.

Since its unusual emergence in the West this spring, monkeypox has been a topic of discussion among Canadians as officials work to limit its spread.

On Wednesday, Canada reported a 59 per cent increase in monkeypox cases over the last week – mirroring a trend of rising cases reported across the globe.

Though cases are on the rise, the risk to the general population remains low – but that doesn’t mean Canadians shouldn’t be vigilant, health experts say.

“If you’re not part of that at-risk community for the moment, that doesn’t mean that you’re impervious to the virus. It just means that for the moment, it’s not something that should be preoccupying you or causing you to have anxiety,” said Dr. Don Vinh, an infectious diseases specialist at McGill University Health Centre.

“I would suggest that you allow the medical, scientific and public health communities to bear that burden of anxiety. We will implement the necessary steps to try to intervene either at the individual or community levels, but I don’t think that people need to panic or be anxious other than just being informed or educated.”

Canada now has 477 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the country since its emergence as part of the unusual global outbreak that started in May.

Between July 4 and 13, a total of 177 new cases have been confirmed in the country, representing a 59 per cent increase in case numbers during that time frame.

Quebec continues to have the major share of the viral disease, with 284 cases as of July 13, up from 211 cases last week.