Shahab: No monkeypox cases yet in Sask., but vaccine available for close contacts

Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer says the province is ready in case monkeypox is detected in the province.

“I think we have set up and positioned ourselves to continue to watch closely and be able to respond as required,” Dr. Saqib Shahab told The Canadian Press. “But we have not had any case in Saskatchewan so far.”

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 168 cases had been reported in the country as of Friday: 141 in Quebec, 21 in Ontario, four in Alberta and two in B.C.

On Friday, Dr. Theresa Tam — Canada’s chief medical health officer — issued a reminder that monkeypox can spread to anyone who has had close physical contact with an infected person.

Tam also noted that many cases reported in Canada have been linked to men who have sex with other men.

In Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Health said the risk of catching the virus is low, but if there are cases, vaccines could be offered to contacts based on a public health assessment.

Shahab has designated monkeypox as an emerging communicable disease and said education is ongoing in the province.

“Obviously in Saskatchewan, we are watching the situation closely,” Shahab said. “We’re doing outreach information to young people to beware of signs and symptoms.”

He added that if people develop lesions and have travelled to another province or country, they could have been exposed to the virus.

— With files from The Canadian Press