British Columbians can now book a monkeypox vaccine appointment.
While the number of cases of the virus remains low, the B.C. government has identified community transmission.
As of July 27, there were 61 cases of monkeypox in the province, including three cases in Fraser Health, 54 in Vancouver Coastal Health, and four in Island Health. There are currently no cases in the Interior Health or in Northern Health regions.
People who may have been exposed to the virus will be contacted by local public health authorities.
On July 23, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Countries will work together internationally to monitor and stop the spread of the outbreak.
The monkeypox virus doesn't spread easily and all of the local cases have involved prolonged skin-to-skin contact. Researchers believe this is the main way the virus spreads.
Symptoms of infection typically appear one to two weeks after exposure but may take anywhere from five to 21 days to appear. The disease may begin will flu-like symptoms followed by a rash with sores and blisters, but many people only develop a rash.
People are considered infectious from "when symptoms first appear until the sores crust over, are dry and new skin is visible," according to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
Most people who contract the virus will have mild symptoms and will not require any specific interventions.
Monkeypox vaccine available in British Columbia
Health Canada has a limited stockpile of the smallpox vaccine (Imvamune), which is effective against monkeypox and is being made available through the BCCDC.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has published recommendations for the use of Imvamune to prevent monkeypox transmission.
So far, the province has received 14,480 doses of vaccine for outbreak control, including post-exposure prophylaxis. Vaccines are ordered weekly and are distributed to health authorities for administration. As of July 25, 7,200 doses were administrated to high-risk people.
Local public health authorities are identifying people who have been exposed to the virus as well as people who are at high risk of contracting it and can benefit from the vaccine.
Vaccine clinics are offered in Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health, Island Health and Interior Health, with vaccines prioritized for the Lower Mainland, where most of the infections have occurred.
For more information about who is eligible to get a vaccine and how to book an appointment, refer to your local health authority or visit the BCCD's monkeypox page online.
Find out everything you need to know about the spread of monkeypox in B.C.
