Canada Reports Its First Case of Clade I Mpox

OTTAWA - In a significant health update, Canada’s Public Health Agency (PHAC) confirmed on November 22 that the country has recorded its first case of clade I mpox, located in the province of Manitoba.

This case, said to be travel-related, links back to an ongoing outbreak of this particular strain of mpox that is believed to have originated in central and eastern Africa. The individual exhibited symptoms of the virus shortly after returning from their travels and has since sought medical attention and is currently in isolation.

“PHAC is collaborating closely with public health authorities in Manitoba to manage the situation effectively,” the agency stated. They reported that the National Microbiology Laboratory had confirmed the sample as positive for mpox clade Ib on the same day.

Earlier that day, the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated that the mpox outbreak remains a public health emergency. This alert marks the second time in two years that the WHO has classified mpox as a global public health emergency, especially following the emergence of a new variant known as clade Ib, which has spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to other neighboring regions.

Mpox, a viral infection spread through direct contact, can present symptoms similar to the flu, along with painful pus-filled lesions. While most cases tend to be mild, there is potential for severe outcomes, highlighting the importance of public health measures.

At this moment, the PHAC has assessed that the risk to the general population in Canada remains low. However, they are actively monitoring the situation and have initiated a public health investigation, which includes thorough contact tracing to identify and mitigate any further spread.

Stay tuned for more developments as Canada ramps up its health response and monitoring efforts!