Monkeypox (June 20, 2022)
As of June 16, 2022, the Chief Medical Officer of Health has designated monkeypox a Disease of Public Health Significance (DOPHS) as “Smallpox and other Orthopoxviruses including Monkeypox” under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA). The monkeypox Order issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health under Section 77.6 on May 20, 2022, is no longer in effect and has been removed from the Ministry of Health’s website.
Persons required to report DOPHS and/or communicable diseases under the HPPA are now required to report directly to the local Medical Officer of Health following the reporting requirements in the Act, as per routine disease processes.
Read the CMOH Memo and the Infectious Disease Appendix for “Smallpox and other Orthopoxviruses including Monkeypox” under the Ontario Public Health Standards to support public health unit case and contact management.
For more information, refer to the following websites:
- Monkeypox Virus (gov.on.ca) (FAQ’s and vaccine guidance for post-exposure prophylaxis, storage and handling)
- Monkeypox | Public Health Ontario (including epidemiological summary, specimen collection and handling, IPAC for acute care)
Monkeypox (June 2, 2022)
As of May 26, 2022 there has been 257 confirmed monkeypox cases reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). About 120 suspected cases occurred in 23 non-endemic nations. Canada has confirmed 26 cases of monkeypox.
According to WHO, immediate actions should be focused on providing accurate information to those who may be most at risk of monkeypox, stopping further spread among groups at risk and protecting frontline health workers.
To protect the health of Canadians, the Public Health Agency of Canada is working closely with provinces, territories, and international partners, including WHO, to actively monitor the situation and ensure rapid identification of any accruing monkeypox cases in Canada.
Read more monkeypox updates here:
- Multi-country monkeypox outbreak in non-endemic countries: Update (May 29, 2022)
- Monkeypox Virus: Interim Case and Contact Management Guidance for Local Public Health Units: Published May 2022
- Monkeypox: Outbreak Update (May 27/22)
- Multi-Jurisdictional Monkeypox Outbreak 2022 – What We Know So Far (June 2022)
- Interim guidance on infection prevention and control for suspect, probable or confirmed monkeypox within Healthcare settings – 27 May 2022
- Q&A for Monkeypox interim vaccine guidance for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and How to access tecovirimat (May 28, 2022)
- Monkeypox Information for Health Professionals
