2024-08-19 22:16:04
While experts worry about the imminent arrival of MPOX virus clade 1b, a more severe, more contagious variant, Quebec must ask British Columbia for help in detecting its arrival in the region.
Until this week, the Quebec Public Health Laboratory (LSPQ) sent its MPOX virus-positive samples to the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Winnipeg to identify the clade.
So when the NML tightened conditions for sample analysis, almost at the same time as the World Health Organization (WHO) issued its highest-level global health alert on Wednesday, it found itself in an unfortunate position.
Dr. Judith Fafard, medical director of Quebec’s public health laboratory, explained that the LNM now wants us to only send it cases that are strongly suspected to be clade 1b.
NML no Responding to requests and calls from Radio-Canada regarding this policy change.
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Currently, two subtypes of the MPOX virus are circulating around the world. The most dangerous branch, 1b, could soon be discovered in Canada. (Archived photo)
Image source: Reuters/NIAID
LSPQ is currently developing its own PCR test to be able to detect clade 1b, but will need to wait; it won’t be ready for a few weeks.
Meanwhile, Dr. Farfard announced Sunday that the LSPQ is sending its positive samples to the British Columbia Center for Disease Control, which already has the capability to do so. She explained that they had kindly agreed to support us during the transition.
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The mpox virus is spread through close contact, primarily sexual contact, and is contagious from the onset of symptoms.
We adjust to the most pressing issues to justify Quebec’s delays, she explained, recalling that the risk assessment of importing clade 1b into Canada is still estimated to be between low and moderate.
As of August 12, 164 cases of MPOX have been reported in Canada since the beginning of 2024. kind.
Poxviruses cause papules on the skin and can be spread through close contact. Clade 1b is more contagious and affects children more. Its mortality rate is estimated at 3.6%.
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Skin lesions associated with MPOX virus. (Archived photo)
Photo: iStock
Is there an urgent need to take action?
Microbiologist and infectious disease expert Caroline Quach recalled in a 2019 report that detecting the mpox virus clade 1b was important for scientific research in Canada, but regardless of the clade, precautions, vaccinations , treatments and public health measures are the same. It is important to remember that we have the ability to detect cases of MPOX.
Dr. Réjean Thomas, director of the Montreal-based Actuel Medical Clinic, is concerned about the fact that provincial and federal authorities do not have an accurate picture of the situation.
He said he wanted to know last week when his clinic treated its first case of MPO in a year. The patient was dual vaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Canada. I called the Quebec Public Health Laboratory to find out what branch it was and they told me: “We don’t do testing.”
“I think my patients have the right to know which branch they belong to,” he lamented.
He insisted that if the World Health Organization issues a major alarm, we must take action. The response from the authorities was simply not consistent with the crisis by senior public health authorities.
He added that many questions remain unanswered, especially about vaccines.
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People who have been exposed to the disease, members of the gay community and sex workers are particularly targeted for vaccination. (Archived photo)
Photo: AP/Michael Gonzalez
Dr. Réjean Thomas expressed regret that the L’Actuel clinic, which specializes in LGBTQ+ sexual health, had not yet received a safe transport kit to send samples to CHUM on Sunday. On Monday, the clinic finally received five patients.
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This text was modified on Monday, August 19, 2024, to specify the nature of the kit requested by Dr. Réjean Thomas.
Although anyone can be infected with the MPOX virus, outbreaks in recent years have been primarily found among men who have sex with men.
Dr. Thomas also estimates that 40 percent of his patients infected with the disease are HIV-positive, making them more susceptible to complications.
With information provided by Elyse Allard and Catherine Dib
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