In an email to CP24.com, Toronto Public Health (TPH) said they are “currently aware of a confirmed case of monkeypox in a person who recently went to a Toronto shelter.” The health unit declined to say which shelter it was for and also noted that an outbreak is defined as two or more cases that are epidemiologically linked. As of Sunday afternoon, the health unit knew of only one confirmed case. The affected person has been taken to the city’s COVID-19 isolation and recovery facility, which is also used to help people who need to be isolated because of monkeypox. “The City of Toronto continues to work with health experts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, monkeypox and other communicable diseases in high-risk environments,” TPH said in a statement. “To support shelters in limiting the number of cases, the shelter system continues to implement strict Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures. This includes conducting enhanced cleaning protocols and using personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns and protective masks.” The virus is usually spread through prolonged close contact with respiratory droplets from breathing, talking, coughing or sneezing, or skin-to-skin contact with lesions, blisters, rashes, or contact with objects, fabrics and surfaces used by someone who has the virus. The virus can enter the body through a break in the skin or through the eyes and mouth. Someone with monkeypox can usually spread the virus when they develop a skin rash or lesions, but it can also spread when they have early symptoms such as fever and headache. Anyone can get the virus, but most cases so far have been in men who have sex with men. Federal health officials as well as the World Health Organization recently suggested that people consider limiting the number of sexual partners they have given that the virus appears to be spread through close contact. The city operates vaccine clinics for those populations most at risk. Ontario Public Health recorded 367 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the province as of Thursday, with nearly 78 percent of those cases in Toronto. Toronto Public Health advises anyone who thinks they may have monkeypox to isolate themselves immediately and contact their healthcare provider to be tested. -With files from The Canadian Press
