Public Health not aware of any mpox cases in N.S.

A public health official in Nova Scotia says there are no known active cases of mpox in the province.

Earlier this week, the World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreaks in Africa a global emergency, with cases confirmed among children and adults in more than a dozen countries and a new variant of the virus spreading.

Regional medical officer of health Dr. Jesse Kancir tells 95.7 NewsRadio, the last documented case of mpox in Nova Scotia was in the summer of 2023 and the new variant in Africa is not what has been spreading in Canada over the past two years.

“We don’t know of any exposures, so that means the biggest risk to folks is going to be connected to people who are traveling outside of the province or in contact with people who are traveling from other parts of the world to Nova Scotia,” Kancir says. “Right now, we’re not aware of any cases.”

This week, Toronto Public Health announced a rise in mpox cases in that city, with 93 cases confirmed this year as of July 31. Kancir says public health officials in Nova Scotia are keeping a close eye on potential spread here.

“Right now prevention for us again is looking out for this and helping folks if we suspect something, and also getting folks vaccines who are eligible for it,” he says.

The virus in Canada has largely affected gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men, Kancir says. Health Canada has stressed that the spread of the virus is not exclusive to any particular group or setting.

“It has affected a very specific part of the population,” Kancir says. “For whatever reason this is where the virus has been introduced, it’s circulating amongst that group, and we know we have a good vaccine that can help prevent it.”

People who feel they’re at risk are being encouraged to go online or to speak to a healthcare provider, including pharmacists, about eligibility.