Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam said she's optimistic Canada can contain the spread of monkeypox by seizing the "window of opportunity," and employing the "right strategies in the right groups."."The Government of Canada remains focused on rapidly stopping chains of transmission to prevent the establishment of monkeypox in Canada and protect public health and healthcare in Canada," Tam said..At a press conference on Wednesday, Tam said a total of 745 cases of monkeypox were identified in Canada as of July 26. These include 346 cases in Quebec, 326 in Ontario, 58 in British Columbia, 12 in Alberta, two in Saskatchewan and one in the Yukon..Tam said 99% of the current cases are in men, with an average age of 36. She added in line with international trends, the majority of cases were among men who had intimate sexual contact with other men. Only one confirmed case has been reported in an Ontario woman.."Nevertheless, this is a reminder monkeypox virus can spread to anyone through close contact with an infected person or contaminated items," Tam said..Tam encouraged at-risk groups to reduce the spread of the disease by practicing safe sex and having fewer sexual partners, "even when they don't have symptoms.".Tam said the federal government deployed more than 70,000 monkeypox vaccine doses to provinces and territories, of which 27,000 have been used. Tam said to blunt the spread of the disease, the most at-risk groups, "including gay and bisexual men," need to get vaccinated.."And I know that vaccination numbers have plateaued a little bit in recent days, so maybe with a bit more effort we can help this group access the vaccine that they need," she said..Tam also said Canadians should "stay prepared" to need a second dose of monkeypox vaccine.."There will be more communication writ large with public health, should that be needed," she said.
