First case of monkeypox reported in Saskatchewan

For the first time, Saskatchewan is reporting a case of monkeypox.

“This is the first case that has been confirmed within the province of Saskatchewan, but obviously (it’s) something that we’ve been monitoring closely and (we’re) not surprised that we have a case reported here in the province,” Dr. Julie Kryzanowski, the province’s deputy chief medical health officer, said during a conference call Wednesday.

Kryzanowski said health authorities won’t confirm any details about the person, including their gender, age or where they live.

“We can confirm that the public health investigation is underway including contact tracing. And that investigation indicates that acquisition likely occurred outside of the province,” she said.

There have been several other suspected cases of monkeypox that the province has investigated and Kryzanowski said if they end up being confirmed, they’ll be reported to the public.

The risk for contracting monkeypox in Saskatchewan and Canada is still low, according to Kryzanowski, but she said people should be aware of the symptoms and contact a doctor if they were in contact with an infected person or suspect they may be infected themselves.

She said there’s a characteristic rash which is usually preceded by a fever, a feeling of being unwell, muscle aches and headaches.

The Ministry of Health explained monkeypox does not spread easily between people. It’s spread through prolonged face-to-face close contact, touching bodily fluids or lesions of a person who is infected, or exposure to contaminated objects such as bedding or clothes.

There is a vaccine that’s being used to help protect people against monkeypox, though Kryzanowski said the ministry doesn’t have really strong real-world evidence of prevention right now. It’s a vaccine that’s also used against smallpox.

“Currently the supply in Canada is limited. Saskatchewan does have doses of this vaccine within the province and it will be offered for the contacts who have what’s considered a high-risk exposure within 14 days of that exposure,” said Kryzanowski.

According to Health Canada, 477 confirmed monkeypox cases had been reported in Canada as of Wednesday morning — excluding the case in Saskatchewan. Most of Canada’s cases have been reported in Quebec, where 284 cases have been detected.