The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is issuing this statement to provide an update on the ongoing response to monkeypox. PHAC continues to work closely with provinces and territories to coordinate Canada's strategic response to this situation.
On July 21, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened a second meeting of its International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee to assess the ongoing international monkeypox outbreak. On July 23, the WHO Director General issued a statement declaring that the global monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
Since the beginning of the outbreak, the Government of Canada's top priority has been protecting the health of all Canadians. The Government acknowledges the WHO's determination and will continue its work with provinces and territories as it has since the start of the monkeypox outbreak.
PHAC continues to work closely with international, provincial and territorial health partners to gather information on this evolving outbreak and to assess the possible risk of exposure of the monkeypox virus in Canada. Canada will continue to work with the WHO and international partners to strengthen the global response to the current monkeypox outbreak.
As of today, there are 681 confirmed cases of monkeypox across five provinces in Canada and these numbers are expected to continue to rise as the outbreak evolves. Since July 1, we have also seen a doubling of cases to date, the first case in a female, and the first cases in Saskatchewan.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released recommendations for the use of Imvamune®, a Health Canada-approved vaccine, for immunization against monkeypox. To date, the Government of Canada has deployed over 70,000 doses of vaccines to provinces and territories and continues to work actively with the provinces as they manage their public health responses. The government is also providing treatments for case management as requested by provinces and territories, as well as working to secure future national supplies of both vaccines and therapeutics.
Provincial and territorial public health authorities have launched their monkeypox vaccination campaigns and have started vaccinating populations at higher risk. While vaccination is expected to provide protection, a successful monkeypox outbreak response relies on a variety of public health measures including targeted public health education, equipping people with information they need to make informed choices. Everyone in Canada is reminded that they can help reduce the risk of becoming infected or spreading the monkeypox virus by:
- staying home and limiting contact with others if you have symptoms, or as recommended by your health care provider;
- avoiding close physical contact, including sexual contact, with someone who is infected with or may have been exposed to the monkeypox virus;
- maintaining good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette; and
- cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces and objects in your home, especially after having visitors
