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Canada confirms first case of clade I mpox in Manitoba traveller

While Canada has been dealing with cases of clade II mpox since 2022, this marks the first confirmed instance of clade I mpox in the country.

The new form of the mpox, called clade 1b variant, is linked to a global health emergency declared by the World Health Organization in August. (AP)

Canada’s Public Health Agency (PHAC) has confirmed the country’s first case of clade I mpox in a traveller from Manitoba. The individual contracted the virus, linked to an outbreak in central and eastern Africa, during their travels and sought medical care upon returning to Canada.

“The individual sought medical care for mpox symptoms in Canada shortly after their return and is currently isolating,” reported by Reuters.

Also read | WHO declares mpox outbreak a continuing global health emergency

PHAC noted that the case was identified as clade Ib mpox following testing by the National Microbiology Laboratory, which informed Manitoba health officials on 22 November.

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While Canada has been dealing with cases of clade II mpox since 2022, this marks the first confirmed instance of clade I mpox in the country.

Also read | Nigeria begins delayed mpox vaccination programme

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to classify the global mpox outbreak as a public health emergency. In August, the organisation declared mpox a global health crisis for a second time, following the spread of the clade Ib variant from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring regions.

Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact, often causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. While typically mild, the virus can be fatal in some cases.

PHAC emphasised that the risk to the general population in Canada remains low but assured that active monitoring, including contact tracing, is underway.

(with inputs rom Reuters)

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