Monkeypox is officially a global health emergency
Posted Jul 23, 2022 08:06:00 PM.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global health emergency on Saturday.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health reported three cases as of the announcement.
Earlier this week, a man in his sixties reported symptoms following a visit to Wellington County.
The first case, a Guelph man in his twenties, was reported in June.
The Brant County Health Unit found their first case of laboratory-confirmed monkeypox in mid-July.
Across Waterloo Region and surrounding areas, 19 of 34 provincial health units have cases.
In Ontario, 287 cases have been found in men, with only one case found in a woman.
There have been no recorded deaths in the province.
Monkeypox is transmitted through close contact according to Public Health Ontario.
Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a rash that may spread from the face or genitals.
Close contact with a positive case can be treated with a vaccine, although most victims recover without treatment.
