Ontario is witnessing an uptick in mpox cases, underscoring the ongoing presence of this infectious disease. Public Health Ontario (PHO) data reveals that 67 cases were reported between January 1 and June 15, 2024, compared to 33 confirmed cases for the entire year of 2023 (Public Health Ontario, 2024). Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, was renamed by the World Health Organization after an outbreak spread to Europe, Canada, and the United States. At its peak in June 2022, Canada reported 1,541 cases (Public Health Ontario, 2024).
Mpox often presents as a rash or lesion, accompanied by fever, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease primarily spreads through sexual or close intimate contact. Recent data indicates that over 95% of Ontario's mpox cases were among men, disproportionately affecting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2024). Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch emphasized the importance of avoiding stigma and moralization, noting that individuals outside this community are extremely unlikely to contract the infection (Bogoch, 2024).
The majority of cases were locally acquired, with 79% reported in Toronto and 7.5% in Ottawa, among other Ontario public health units. Dr. Bogoch highlighted that the reporting period only covers the first half of Pride month, suggesting potential increases in cases due to exposures during the latter part of June (Bogoch, 2024). Vaccination efforts show that only 35% of those who received a first dose of the Imvamune vaccine went on to receive the second dose (Public Health Ontario, 2024).
The Ontario vaccination program targets high-risk groups, including two-spirit, non-binary, transgender, cisgender, intersex, or gender-queer individuals, and those who have had multiple sexual partners, anonymous sex, or attended venues for sexual contact within the last year (Public Health Ontario, 2024). Toronto Public Health asserts that receiving two doses of the vaccine can reduce the risk of contracting mpox by 66 to 83 percent (Toronto Public Health, 2024). Dr. Bogoch reiterated the importance of awareness within risk groups, stressing that the virus remains present (Bogoch, 2024).
