Monkeypox no cause for panic: Microbiologist

Monkeypox is making headlines around the world, but is it something we need to be worried about?

Dr. Joseph Blondeau, head of clinical microbiology at Royal University Hospital and provincial lead for Clinical Microbiology with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said we shouldn’t be panicking about the virus.

“Most people will have a self-resolving infection,” Blondeau explained. “The mortality rate is one per cent or less.”

Symptoms of monkeypox include lesions all over the body, fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion and swollen lymph nodes.

The virus is similar to smallpox, and Blondeau said the vaccine that was used to immunize against smallbox could be used to prevent monkeypox.

Canada stopped giving smallpox vaccines routinely in 1972 but according to Blondeau there has been some discussion about bringing the vaccine back for those considered to be at risk of monkeypox. Whether it will be used depends on whether the virus continues to spread.

Monkeypox got its name when it was first isolated from a monkey in 1958, and Blondeau said humans aren’t usually the natural carriers of the virus.

“There’s some evidence to suggest the African tree squirrel might be the natural host for this virus, but since being discovered in the monkey, it’s been found in mice, rats, rabbits (and) prairie dogs,” Blondeau said.

The disease can be transmitted between humans, and Blondeau said it spreads through large respiratory droplets, similar to COVID.

“You need very, very close contact, and sustained contact for transmission,” he explained. “There was some evidence as well that somebody who was covered with lesions may contaminate clothing and bedding.”

Health-care professionals are now testing for the virus, which Blondeau said will help prevent it from spreading.