Regional Public Health Director Dr. Mylène Drouin confirmed Thursday morning that there are 17 suspected monkeypox cases in the Montreal area: 15 in Montreal itself and one each on the south and north shores. She said all of these individuals are in isolation awaiting lab confirmation of infection.
A few of the suspected cases are possibly linked to a person with a confirmed case in Massachusetts who travelled to Canada, Dr. Geneviève Bergeron said at a Thursday press conference.
Many of those individuals with potential monkeypox infections in the Montreal area are men who have sex with men. They are between the ages of 30 and 55. Reported symptoms include oral and genital ulcerations, fever and headaches. Though Dr. Drouin described the ulcerations as painful, she said the suspected cases are not severe.
She explained the virus is transmitted through close contact and droplets, not sexually.
The director asked the public not to panic and assured that she does not anticipate sustained community transmission. This is not a disease, she said, that you can get in the store or on public transit.
Public health has sent an alert to physicians asking them to watch for symptoms and report any possible cases.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
