The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation concerning monkeypox cases reported in Europe and the US, as well as two confirmed cases in Quebec. I am urging all healthcare providers to be alert for patients presenting with symptoms that are consistent with monkeypox virus infection, especially if they have had travel or contact with a known case.
Monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus that causes a disease with symptoms similar to, but less severe than, smallpox. It is typically mild and self-limiting, however severe illness can occur. Monkeypox virus infection presents with a prodrome that includes fever, chills, headache, myalgias, lymphadenopathy, and fatigue, followed one to three days later by a progressively developing rash. The rash characteristically begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, including the hands, feet and genitals.
While historically rare, human-to-human transmission occurs primarily through close contact with an infected individual’s bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or lesions, or through items that have been contaminated with the infected person’s fluids or lesions. The incubation period is typically 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 days to 21 days. Individuals are communicable from symptom onset until all scabs have fallen off and new skin is present.
For Nucleus staff, if clients are presenting with any symptoms, they will adhere to the same personal protective equipment protocols established for a probable, suspected or confirmed case of COVID.
