Canada Confirms Clade 1 Strain of Mpox: Know How It Impacts Human

Canadian authorities have confirmed the first case of Mpox strain Clade I in the country. In a statement on Friday, they announced, "An individual from Manitoba sought medical care for Mpox symptoms shortly after returning from Canada from another country. At present, he is isolating." It also said that a public health investigation, including contact tracing, is ongoing.

While clade II Mpox has been circulating in Canada since 2022, this is the first case of clade I, according to Public Health Agency Of Canada. Clade 1, which was detected in US a few days ago, has become a health concern for public authorities. Health experts describe it as a more severe strain of Mpox with high transmission rates and more profound symptoms like skin rashes, larger legions, and more severe lymphadenopathy or swollen lymph nodes.

Also, Clade 1 strain has a higher mortality rate than Clade 2. According to the latest records, the former strain has a mortality rate of 1-10% compared to Clade 2's 1-4%. Moreover, statistics have shown that Clade 1 infects children more than adults. People with Mpox are considered infectious until all their lesions have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath, and all the lesions on the eyes and in the body (in the mouth, throat, eyes, vagina and anus) have healed too.

WHO reasserts Mpox As A Public Health Emergency

This comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated that Mpox remains a public health emergency, citing rising case numbers, geographic spread, and operational challenges. On 15 August 2024, Sweden became the first country outside the African continent to confirm Mpox clade Ib in an individual with travel history to central Africa. The confirmation of the case came just one day after WHO’s Director-General declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) for the second time in 2 years, following an upsurge in new and concerning cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and several neighbouring countries.

What Are Symptoms of Mpox?

The main symptom of pox is skin rash that develops into pus-filled lesions, which may last for two to four weeks. Other symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, sore throat and cough, and lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes).

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Here's How To Prevent Getting Infected By Mpox

Given the current global emergency, WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued guidelines for preventing MPOX transmission. Key recommendations include:

- Avoiding contact with animals that could harbor the virus, particularly in regions where MPOX is endemic.

- Practicing good hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

- Using personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves, and gowns, when caring for infected individuals.

- Isolating infected individuals from others who are at risk of contracting the virus.

- Vaccination, where available, is also an effective preventive measure. The smallpox vaccine has been shown to provide some protection against MPOX, and newer vaccines specifically designed for MPOX are being developed and deployed.