{"id":25784,"date":"2022-07-26T10:15:23","date_gmt":"2022-07-26T14:15:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thinkresearch.com\/ca\/?p=25784"},"modified":"2022-07-26T12:20:47","modified_gmt":"2022-07-26T16:20:47","slug":"monkeypox-what-is-it-how-does-it-spread","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thinkresearch.com\/ca\/2022\/07\/26\/monkeypox-what-is-it-how-does-it-spread\/","title":{"rendered":"Monkeypox: What is it? How Does it Spread?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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On July 23, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the monkeypox outbreak a global public health emergency<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, \u201cWe have an outbreak that has spread around the world rapidly through new modes of transmission about which we understand too little, and which meets the criteria in the international health regulations.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A global emergency is the WHO’s highest level of alert, declared in response to \u2018an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of this writing, Canada has confirmed 681 cases of monkeypox<\/a> across five provinces, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario. and Quebec.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In response to the WHO\u2019s declaration, the Government of Canada said in a statement<\/a> that it will \u201ccontinue to work closely with international, provincial and territorial health partners to gather information on this evolving outbreak and to assess the possible risk of exposure of the monkeypox virus in Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Monkeypox?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as the variola virus, which causes smallpox. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was first discovered in 1958 after two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research — it was first identified in humans in 1970, in a 9-month-old boy living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is typically found in remote parts of central and west African countries, near tropical rainforests. According to the WHO, there have been more than 1,200 cases of monkeypox in these regions since the start of 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does Monkeypox Spread?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Monkeypox is spread through large respiratory droplets, close or direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids, and from touching or sharing items (e.g., clothing, bedding, razors, toothbrushes) that previously touched the infectious rash. Pregnant people can also spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also possible to contract the virus from infected animals, either from scratches or bites, or by preparing meat from an infected animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no clear evidence that monkeypox is spread via sexual transmission through seminal or vaginal fluids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monkeypox Symptoms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but are typically milder and rarely fatal. Most people develop symptoms 5 to 21 days after exposure, with symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on severity.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n