A man with mpox was reported at Goma General Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo on July 16, 2024. (AP Photo)
Health experts in Canada are raising concerns that a rapidly spreading strain of mpox, known as clade I, could soon appear in the country. This strain has been causing alarm across several African nations, and its recent detection in Sweden—by someone who had travelled from an affected area—has intensified these worries.
Dr. Fahad Razak, an internal medicine specialist and epidemiologist at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, stated that the arrival of Clade I mpox in Europe is a warning sign. "It was only a matter of time," he commented. Given Canada’s status as a major travel hub, he believes it is inevitable that this strain will eventually make its way here.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, particularly highlighting the surge of clade I in Congo and its spread to neighbouring countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. These countries had not previously encountered mpox, raising additional concerns.
Clade I mpox is believed to be more severe and easier to spread than the clade II variant, which caused an outbreak in Canada in 2022. Dr. Razak noted that this new strain seems to affect children more frequently. However, he pointed out that mpox might not spread as quickly as COVID-19, suggesting that Canadian health agencies should be able to manage it effectively. Unlike COVID-19, which spreads through the air, mpox typically spreads through direct contact, which could make it easier to control.
Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious diseases specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, emphasized the need for more information about clade I mpox to fully understand how it might affect Canada. She noted that while Canada did not experience cases during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, it is crucial to monitor the situation closely. If clade I mpox proves to be highly transmissible, travel-related cases could become more common.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is aware of the situation and is actively preparing for any potential cases. They are working with Global Affairs Canada and other partners to update risk assessments and public health guidelines. The agency is also collaborating with provincial and territorial authorities, as well as the WHO, to keep a close watch on mpox developments.
Canada has been monitoring wastewater for mpox since July 2022 and is capable of testing for both clade I and clade II strains. In Toronto, there has been an uptick in clade II mpox cases, prompting health officials to encourage vaccination. The vaccine is available to those at higher risk, including men who have sex with men and individuals involved in sex work.
Individuals who have had close contact with someone infected with mpox may receive post-exposure vaccination, ideally within four days but up to 14 days after exposure.
