Toronto health officials are urging residents to prioritize vaccination following a recent spike in mpox cases in the city. Since September, Toronto Public Health (TPH) has confirmed 14 cases of the viral disease, with ongoing detection in the city’s wastewater according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Dr. Michelle Murti, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, emphasized the current circulation of mpox in the city, leading to a rise in infections. Despite the increase, TPH reassures the public that the overall risk remains low.
The primary mode of mpox transmission is through close or intimate contact with an infected individual, with gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men being the most affected demographic, TPH highlighted.
Gilles Charette, director of the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance, acknowledged the resurgence of the virus but expressed confidence in containment due to the accessibility of the free vaccine. The vaccine, administered in two doses ideally 28 days apart, provides the best protection against mpox.
Charette encouraged individuals to ensure they are up to date with their vaccinations and highlighted the proactive response of the LGBTQ+ community in the face of health challenges. The TPH release emphasizes the importance of completing the vaccine series for maximum protection.
For more information on mpox and to schedule your vaccination, visit the official TPH website.
Mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, is a viral infection caused by the mpox virus. While belonging to the same virus family as smallpox, mpox generally presents with milder symptoms. Common signs include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, and fatigue, with the rash starting on the face and spreading to other areas before scabbing over.
While many cases of mpox are mild, individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions may experience more severe symptoms.
