In response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent declaration of a public health emergency due to a global resurgence of mpox (formerly monkeypox), Health Canada has announced that it is "closely monitoring" the situation. While the new strain, predominantly spreading in Africa, has not yet been detected in Canada, experts are urging the federal government to take stronger actions to prevent its international spread.
As of August 15, Health Canada has not confirmed any cases of the more severe "clade I" variant of mpox. Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, emphasized that wastewater monitoring is ongoing and while no clade I cases have been detected, the situation could change. Canada has the capability to test for both clade I and clade II variants, and is actively collaborating with provinces and territories to ensure swift reporting of any cases.
So far in 2024, Canada has reported 164 cases of the clade II variant of mpox, which previously triggered a global emergency in 2022. Dr. Tam advises high-risk individuals, such as men who have sex with men, to get vaccinated. She also stresses the importance of hygiene and sexual health practices to reduce exposure risks.
The risk of the new mpox strain to Canadians is currently assessed as "low." However, Health Canada has updated travel advisories, especially for those traveling to regions experiencing outbreaks. A travel health notice remains in effect for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the current major outbreak began. The strain has spread to neighboring African countries and, recently, to Sweden, marking its first case outside Africa.
The new mutation of mpox is reportedly more transmissible, with easier human-to-human spread. Cases have been observed in children in Africa, and transmission occurs through physical contact with infected bodily fluids, lesions, or respiratory droplets. The virus can also spread via contaminated objects or animal contact. Symptoms typically develop 5 to 21 days after exposure and include fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash or lesions.
WHO representatives and infectious disease experts emphasize the need for increased testing and surveillance to identify and contain cases before they spread further.
Canada has secured a sufficient supply of the Imvamune vaccine, which is effective against both clade I and II variants of mpox. However, vaccine administration is currently limited to those at high risk of exposure. Vaccination for the general public is not recommended at this time.
Epidemiologists are calling for Canada to donate more vaccines to countries hit hardest by the outbreak. They warn that failing to act promptly could result in greater global consequences, both ethically and economically. The U.S. has already pledged to donate 50,000 vaccine doses to the DRC, highlighting the critical role of vaccination in controlling the outbreak.
Health Canada has yet to confirm its next steps but has reiterated its commitment to updating Canadians as the situation unfolds.
