OR Public Health Service of Canada confirmed yesterday, Friday, the first case of the mpox clade I strain in the country, specifying that it was detected in Manitoba.

The Public Health Service of Canada (PHAC) added that this travel-related case is linked to the ongoing clade I outbreak of mpox in central and eastern Africa.

“This individual sought medical treatment for mpox symptoms in Canada shortly after his return and is currently in isolation,” the agency said in a statement.

“PHAC works closely with public health authorities in Manitoba. The National Microbiological Laboratory (NML) informed this province on November 22 that the sample was positive for clade Ib of mpox,” he adds.

THE World Health Organization (WHO) announced earlier yesterday that the mpox outbreak continues to be a public health emergency.

In August WHO declared mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, a public health emergency of global concern for the second time in two years after a new variant strain of the virus, called clade Ib, spread from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to neighboring countries.

mpox is spread through close contact and usually causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. They are usually mild, but in rare cases can be fatal.

PHAC added that while the risk to the general Canadian population currently remains low, it is still actively monitoring the situation. He also noted that the public health investigation, including contact tracing of the case, is ongoing.