N.L.'s health system wasn't ready for monkeypox, say province's first 2 cases

The first two people diagnosed with monkeypox in Newfoundland and Labrador say incorrect information from the provincial Public Health department prevented them from getting properly tested and delayed access to protection for their close contacts.

Both men — CBC News has agreed not to identify them because they're concerned about the stigma associated with the disease — attended different Pride events outside the province at the end of June.

The 22-year-old man who was the first probable case, which Public Health announced July 28, said he had been at a Pride event at the end of June outside Canada.

He says he started feeling unwell when he returned. At first he thought he had COVID-19. It was only after a friend told him about monkeypox cases identified at parties he attended that he realized he might have it.

He called 811, the provincial health line.

"They didn't really have any information for me or an idea of how I could get testing or if the province had testing," he said.

It took two weeks for him to see his family doctor. By then a rash he'd developed along with pustules on his arms had healed.

Instead of being referred to Public Health, he was sent to a dermatologist for the scarring. It wasn't until the dermatologist alerted Public Health that he was told to go to an emergency room for testing.

But by then it was too late to confirm monkeypox because he had recovered. He was told he likely had it, based on his exposure and his symptoms 

"If it wasn't for the fact that I took it upon myself to isolate, well, then there could have been lots of community spread, and it's even more frustrating now because I'll never know if I had it or I didn't have it."

His experience isn't unique. CBC News spoke with a second probable case with a similar story.

The 29-year-old man was at a different Pride event and developed symptoms at the end of June.

He told a nurse at 811 he thought he had monkeypox. He asked if he should self-isolate or see his family doctor

"The nurse's response was, 'You can, but there's no tests and no vaccines in the province.'"