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Canada's public health agency confirmed on Friday the first case of clade I mpox in Canada, identified in an individual from Manitoba. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) stated that this travel-related case is linked to an ongoing outbreak of clade I mpox in central and eastern Africa. "The person sought medical attention for mpox symptoms shortly after returning to Canada and is currently in isolation," the agency noted in a statement. "PHAC is collaborating closely with public health authorities in Manitoba. The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) informed the province on November 22 that the sample tested positive for mpox clade Ib," the agency added.
While clade II mpox has been prevalent in Canada since 2022, this marks the first confirmed case of clade I mpox in the country, according to PHAC. Earlier in the day, the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated that the mpox outbreak continues to pose a public health emergency. The WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years in August, following the spread of a new variant, clade Ib, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries. Mpox is a viral infection transmitted through close contact, typically resulting in flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Although usually mild, it can be fatal.
PHAC emphasized that the risk to Canada's general population remains low at this time but continues to actively monitor the situation. A public health investigation, including contact tracing, is currently underway.
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