Island Health says one case of monkeypox in a person who lives on the south Island has been confirmed through laboratory testing.
Public health teams are conducting follow-up on the case, including managing contacts identified through contact tracing.
In a statement, Island Health says the public health team received confirmation of the case on Thursday, but sent out the notice to the public on Friday.
Island Health says the risk to the public is very low, and the virus is spread through person-to-person contact.
Vaccinations are being provided to high-risk contacts identified through contact tracing in Island Health.
Symptoms can take anywhere between five to 21 days to appear, but typically appear within the first two weeks following exposure.
There are two stages to the disease. The first being flu-like symptoms, followed by a rash usually with sores and blisters.
People are considered infectious from when the symptoms first appear, until the sores crust over, are dry, and new skin is visible.
” Most people with monkeypox have mild symptoms and do not require any specific interventions,” Island Health says in a statement. “Treatment for monkeypox remains supportive and targeted on symptoms (e.g. fever control, hydration support, treat secondary infections).”
Laura Brougham
