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6mo ago

Canada Confirms First Case of Clade I Mpox in Manitoba

The travel-related case marks the first detection of the more severe mpox strain in Canada, linked to an outbreak in central and eastern Africa.

Image
FILE - This colorized electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2024 shows Mpox virus particles, green, found within infected cultured cells, blue. The virus particles are in various stages of maturity, which accounts for differences in shape. (NIAID via AP, File)

Overview

  • Manitoba has reported Canada’s first confirmed case of clade I mpox, a more severe strain of the virus compared to clade II, which has been circulating in Canada since 2022.
  • The case is linked to a travel-related outbreak of clade I mpox in central and eastern Africa and was diagnosed shortly after the individual returned to Canada.
  • Clade I mpox, particularly subclade Ib, has been associated with more serious illness, higher fatality rates, and efficient human-to-human transmission compared to clade II.
  • The infected individual is currently isolating, and public health authorities are conducting contact tracing to manage potential risks, though the overall risk to the general population remains low.
  • Mpox spreads through close contact, including sexual contact or contact with contaminated materials, and vaccination is recommended for those at high risk of exposure.