Mpox remains a global emergency — and cluster of cases in Canada offers reminder it's still circulating

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After an unprecedented global outbreak of mpox made headlines last summer, prompting awareness campaigns and widespread vaccination efforts, the virus appeared to fade away.

Cases dropped. Media coverage dried up.

So did interest in vaccines.

In Toronto, one of the key cities impacted during Canada's months-long outbreak, public health data shows only 15 per cent of people who received a first dose have since completed the full series of shots. 

Then, in January, a wake-up call in that same city: Four cases of the painful illness previously known as monkeypox were reported in just a 24-hour span. Toronto's public health unit later told CBC News all the recent cases were "locally acquired," rather than linked to travel abroad.

A virus forgotten, perhaps — but not gone. 

"There's still some ongoing transmission," said Dr. Zain Chagla, an infectious diseases specialist and McMaster University associate professor. "Unfortunately, I think we probably are dealing with this in the short-term future, and probably even for some time."

It's no surprise, then, that the World Health Organization (WHO) made the call this week to maintain mpox as a public health emergency of international concern — and later noted the number of new cases reported globally increased by 70 per cent from the week before.

Canada's cluster of cases offers a reminder the virus is still here, circulating to some degree. The situation elsewhere is worse. And the concern going forward is that this virus will continue popping up in new populations, striking the vulnerable all while vaccination uptake is dwindling.

"We can't get lulled into this sense of comfortability," said mpox researcher Jason Kindrachuk, a microbiologist at the University of Manitoba and Canada Research Chair for emerging viruses. 

"Yes, we've gotten things contained … but we have to appreciate the virus hasn't disappeared."

The latest WHO report showed the number of reported cases has steadily declined worldwide, yet more than 30 countries still continue to report new infections. Deaths also continue ticking up, including at least two in the U.S. so far this month.

"Even for the countries [like the U.S.] that have declared, essentially, victory … it's important to remain vigilant," said Dr. Boghuma Titanji, a physician-scientist at Emory University in Atlanta. "Cases are not down to zero — so who knows what the summer will bring."