Adam Prudhomme
Editor
KFLA Public Health has reported its first lab confirmed case of monkeypox in the region.
KFLA Public Health medical officer of health Piotr Oglaza spoke with local media about the case on Thursday.
“We have received our first lab confirmed case of monkey pox in our region (July 13),” said Oglaza. “This monkeypox virus has been circulating in Ontario for a few months now so our team was prepared for the arrival in our region. We have followed up with all close contacts in the case and we continue to support the positive individual until they have recovered.”
Oglaza stressed that the general risk to the public is low.
“KFLA residents should not be concerned about going about their everyday activities in the community,” he added.
“Monkeypox is spread through close contact with someone with rashes or legions, which include sexual contact but can also include hugging, skin to skin contact while dancing or sharing contaminated clothing or bedding,” said Oglaza. “This can also happen through droplets over prolonged period, such as among people who live in the same house.”
Noted for causing a rash that resemble pimples or blisters that appear in the mouth or around the genital areas, symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. Symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after infection and last two to four weeks. Death resulting from a bout of monkeypox is extremely rare. No deaths have been reported from the current outbreak seen in Canada.
“(Symptoms are) typically mild, they’re self limiting and while severe outcomes are possible, this has not been the experience so far,” said Oglaza. “That certainly is reassuring but we also want to make sure that we don’t take any chances.”
Anyone who suspects they have monkeypox is asked to contact their healthcare provider or urgent care.
“This is something that will be assessed, tested specifically for monkeypox and if confirmed that individual should isolate,” said Oglaza. “That period of isolation and management of close contacts, that’s something that Public Health will contact the individual with detailed instructions on what to do.”
Oglaza said because the incubation period of the disease can be several weeks, there are options for those who do come in contact with someone who tests positive for the disease, such as vaccination. He added the disease does not spread very easily.
-Oglaza also went over the province’s recent announcement of fourth COVID-19 doses being available for individuals over the age of 18.
“The province announced the expansion of the fourth doses starting (Thursday),” said Oglaza “This provincial eligibility is open to those 18 years of age and older who received their third dose at a minimum of 84 days ago. The province of Ontario recommends that there is a five month interval between the third, which is the first booster and the fourth, which is the second booster.”
Oglaza added those who are young and in good health may want to defer getting their fourth shot until the fall. Anyone who recently recovered from a bout of COVID-19, within the last three months, may also want to wait until the fall. Those with underlying health conditions may want to consider getting a second booster.
To book an appointment visit http://kflaph.net/kflaphkingston.
Since the start of the pandemic 62 virus related deaths have been reported in the KFLA region. Currently there are five people in local hospital due to COVID-19.