Canada must respond to mpox crisis in Africa to prevent spread here, experts say

The World Health Organization has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern and experts say it’s critical for Canada to respond.

The WHO declaration comes as mpox — formerly known as monkeypox — has spread between several African countries and there are concerns it could spread further.

McGill University global health researcher Dr. Madhukar Pai says the current risk to Canadians is low, but it’s important to provide funding and resources to help African nations get the outbreak under control.

He says it’s the way to prevent the virus from travelling and becoming a bigger threat in Canada. Pai says it’s the equivalent of putting out a fire in a house before it burns down a whole village.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says there have been no cases in this country of the more serious type of the mpox virus found in Congo and neighbouring countries.

The agency says it is monitoring an increase in mpox cases of a milder type in Ontario.

Health officials are urging eligible residents to get vaccinated against mpox as the number of reported cases in the city continues to rise.

Toronto Public Health said this week there has been a spike in reported cases of mpox in late June and July following major events and festivals in the city.

As of July 31, a total of 93 cases have been confirmed this year by, compared to 21 confirmed cases reported for the same period last year, Toronto Public Health says.

The agency says while mpox cases have been reported across the city, there has been a higher concentration of cases in residents in the downtown core.

Mpox is currently spreading mostly between people who have close, intimate or sexual contact with a person who has the virus, with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men being most affected.

The agency says vaccination is the best way to prevent further spread, and recommends two doses for the best protection.