Although the World Health Organization (OMS) still considers today the global situation in relation to mpox as a public health emergency of international concern
the Department of Health and Social Services (MSSS) had announced on February 14, 2023 that the outbreak of monkeypox had been contained.
The DRSP de Montréal was made aware of the contamination of two men who had sex with other men on March 17. They would have been infected during trips outside the country.
The two men had received respectively one and two doses of mpox vaccine
.
The DRSP of Montreal indicates in its press release that vaccination with the Imvamune vaccine reduces the risk of infection and the severity of the disease
. The vaccination rate for people infected with the virus is 54% for the first dose and 24% for the second.
Vaccination incentive
Even if public health considers that the risks of local transmission are low following these two cases, it recommends the vaccination of people at risk.
Our vaccination coverage might really be improved. It would allow us to be better protected and prevent the risk of local transmission.
explained Dr. Geneviève Bergeron, medical chief of the infectious disease prevention and control sector at the DRSP.
%, but we know that the vaccine is effective. Among people who have received the vaccine, we see presentations that are less severe. Fewer lesions, fewer complications”,”text”:”There is no vaccine that is 100% effective, but we know that the vaccine is effective. Among people who have received the vaccine, we see presentations that are less severe. Fewer lesions, fewer complications”}}”>There is no vaccine that is 100% effective, but we know that the vaccine is effective. Among people who have received the vaccine, we see presentations that are less severe. Fewer injuries, fewer complications
added Dr. Bergeron.
The virus is transmitted by direct contact of the skin or mucous membranes with the lesions of an infected person or their biological fluids. It can also be transmitted by respiratory droplets during prolonged close contact.
The main symptoms are first fever, headache, fatigue, chills, body aches and inflammation of the glands. Therefollowing, one sees the appearance of rashes on the face and elsewhere on the body. These rashes can be very painful.
Between May and October 2022, 400 probable and confirmed cases of mpox were diagnosed in Montreal. Across Quebec, the Ministry of Health and Social Services has counted 526 probable or confirmed cases in connection with this outbreak.
The last appearances of mpox in Montreal dated back to the fall of 2022. A vaccination campaign quickly deployed by Montreal public health last summer slowed its spread.
