Following a review of the current state of the monkey pox epidemic in Canada, the National Immunization Advisory Committee (NACI) issued new guidelines on Friday saying that anyone at high risk of exposure to a possible or confirmed case of monkey pox or someone who has had it In order for the virus to be transmitted, you should receive a dose of the Imvammune vaccine. The NACI also said the vaccines could be given to people who are immunosuppressed, pregnant or breastfeeding, or to children and young people if they are at higher risk for exposure. Imvamune, commonly used to treat smallpox, has been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of monkeypox. The story goes on under the ad Ideally, those exposed to the virus should receive their vaccine within four days of exposure, said Canada’s chief health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, during a briefing in Ottawa on Friday.
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“NACI’s recommendation is to offer a dose to someone who knows they have been exposed to a case or have been in a high-risk environment,” he said. The recommendations state that a second dose should be offered only in limited cases. Local public health authorities are working with businesses and communities where cases occur in Canada to identify places where exposure may have occurred and contacting people who may have been exposed to the virus at those sites, Tam said. “Given the extent of the outbreaks so far, mass vaccination against smallpox is not necessary at this time,” he added. “For the general population, the risk is low at the moment.” 2:04 Canada issues travel alert as monkey pox outbreaks Canada issues travel alert as monkey pox outbreaks spread As of Friday, at least 112 smallpox cases have been confirmed in Canada and all infected are men. The story goes on under the ad That includes 98 cases in Quebec, nine in Ontario, four in Alberta and one in British Columbia, while other suspected cases are being investigated. Monkey pox is spread mainly by close physical contact, including close sexual contact, or exposure to crust or body fluids or even contaminated bedding. Most of the cases in Canada are currently among men who have had sex with other men, although the virus can be spread to anyone who has had contact with an infected person, Tam said.
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Tam said the Public Health Service of Canada is working with vaccine manufacturers to ensure an adequate supply of the Imvammune vaccine. Canada “does not have an unlimited supply” of the vaccine, Deputy Chief of Public Health Dr Howard Dju told French during a briefing on Friday. “But with a good strategic approach, with a prudent approach, we believe it is possible to reduce the outbreak.” – with files from The Canadian Press. Related News © 2022 Global News, part of Corus Entertainment Inc.
