The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) received laboratory confirmation of monkeypox in a resident of Brant.
BCHU has been in contact with the individual and has initiated case management for close contacts. The risk to the general public at this time is low.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is part of the same family as smallpox, though typically less severe. Monkeypox causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, exhaustion and a rash (pox lesions) that often appears a few days after symptoms begin. The rash typically appears on the face, but can spread to other parts of the body as well.
Monkeypox spreads through contact with body fluids such as fluids from the monkeypox sores, contaminated clothing or bedding, or through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact. Monkeypox does not generally spread easily between people, nonetheless Brant residents should be aware of the signs and symptoms of Monkeypox and contact their healthcare provider if they suspect they have the virus.
BCHU continues to monitor the evolving situation in our community and will continue to provide updates to the public as new information becomes available. For more information on Monkeypox, visit www.bchu.org/monkeypox.
Brant County Health Unit will be offering monkey pox immunization clinics in the near future. There will be more information on the dates of the clinics and eligibility criteria on www.bchu.org.
