Do I need to be worried about monkeypox? – The Gazette Western University’s Newspaper

Londons local health unit said the risk of the student population contracting monkeypox in the region is very low at this time, though the community should continue booking vaccines if eligible.

On July 23, the World Health Organization declared the global monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. The Middlesex-London Health Unit has reported 15 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the Middlesex-London region since mid-May, but there have been no hospitalizations related to the virus.

Fortunately, both at a local level and at a provincial level, the monkeypox outbreak is waning, said Dr. Alex Summers, the MLHUs chief medical officer, in a virtual media briefing on Sept. 15. That is due in large part to tremendous uptake of vaccine amongst those at risk as well as extensive awareness of the potential risks of this virus.

The monkeypox virus is predominantly transmitted from close intimate contact between two people. It can also be spread through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs or body fluids and through respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact.

Trends show the majority of monkeypox cases in Canada have been reported by those with more than one sexual partner and men who have intimate sexual contact with other men.

The MLHU has focused their efforts on raising awareness for early symptom identification among the populations most at risk. This involved working with groups like Pride London to vaccinate those at risk and ensure symptom knowledge is available.

Canada approved the Imvamune vaccine for protection against monkeypox. According to the MLHU, the vaccine can be used for protection against monkeypox before exposure to the virus or after exposure, but is not considered to be a treatment. After getting the vaccine, it takes at least two weeks to build protection.

Signs and symptoms of monkeypox include painful, blister-like lesions around the genitals and mouth. If a student notices symptoms, they should immediately visit Health and Wellness Services or MLHUs STI clinics for assessment. The MLHU advises to self-isolate and avoid close contact with others.

Dr. Summers said the MLHU has had conversations with Student Health Services at Western University about how to recognize a possible case of monkeypox.

The MLHU hosted monkeypox vaccination clinics over the summer and into September at their Citi Plaza location in downtown London, Ont., but have stopped at this time. Individuals who remain eligible for the vaccine can contact the MLHU directly to book a vaccine.

According to guidelines from the Ministry of Health, those eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine include two-spirited, non-binary, trans or cis-gender individuals who self-identify as or have sexual partners in the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men communities.

They must also meet one of the following criteria: being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, recently having or planning to have two or more sexual partners and recently having or planning to have anonymous sex.

Any individual who engages in sex work or may be planning to is also elgible for a pre-exposure vaccine.

Dr. Summers said additional clinics may be organized in the near future to provide a second dose to individuals who received a first dose, now that additional vaccine supply is available.

Due to supply constraints over the past few months, Ontario was administering single doses of Imvamune to limit ongoing transmission. Two doses were recommended only for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals and certain research laboratory employees.

Dr. Summers explained that, while the risk of monkeypox is very little for many post-secondary students , what is a larger risk are other STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.

He said its important for students to take precautions, like condom use during sexual activities and getting screened regularly for STIs at the health units STI clinics or Student Health Services, to protect yourself and your close sexual partners.

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Do I need to be worried about monkeypox? - The Gazette Western University's Newspaper