The Ottawa AIDS Committee will hold an information session on monkeypox on Thursday, June 23 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm to answer questions about the virus.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is opening monkeypox vaccine clinics and has begun offering vaccines to people most at risk for the virus.
During the Ottawa Board of Health meeting on Monday, June 20, Dr. Vera Etches, an Ottawa health officer, noted that OPH administered 100 doses over the weekend.
Dr. Etches said she expects that number to increase as people notice and there are more vaccines.
“As people identify that they are eligible, we will increase the chances of vaccination,” he said.
OPH reported the first positive case of monkeypox in Ottawa on June 10. This person has since recovered and the health unit has followed up with close contacts, Dr. Etches.
“Addressing the risk of smallpox lies after exposure, so vaccinating someone who has tested positive is being vaccinated,” he said.
The Ottawa AIDS Committee will hold an information session on monkeypox on Thursday, June 23 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm to answer questions about monkeypox.
So far, OPH has a confirmed case of the virus and two suspicious cases it is investigating.
The most common symptoms include rash, oral / genital lesions, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, chills, myalgia and fatigue.
Infectious disease experts say the LGBTQ community, especially men who have sex with men, has a higher risk of contracting the virus.