Alberta Health: No confirmed or suspected monkeypox cases in the province
As Quebec reports cases of a new infectious virus, Alberta Health says the province has no confirmed or suspected cases of the monkeypox.
Lisa Glover, Alberta Health spokesperson, confirmed to CTV News Edmonton that the province had no cases or active investigations for the viral disease as of Thursday.
"Alberta is working with federal, provincial and territorial partners to monitor the situation," Glover said in a statement. "However, there does not appear to be an elevated risk in the province."
This week, cases of monkeypox in the Montreal area were under investigation as more reports of infections of the rare disease across the world were reported, including in Portugal, Spain, the U.K., and U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when it first was identified in colonies of captive monkeys used for research. The first human case was reported in 1970.
Glover said Alberta has mandatory reporting for rare or emerging communicable diseases, including monkeypox.
"We are working with Alberta Health Services to provide information to doctors and clinicians on what to look for and patient management," Glover added.
Initial symptoms of the rare illness include fever, muscle aches, chills, exhaustion, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes.
Within one to three days after the appearance of symptoms, often patients develop a facial rash that can spread across the body.
The rash transitions to pustules or scabs that can fall off as the virus progresses. The illness typically lasts for two to four weeks, the CDC says.
The disease is mostly spread to people from animals, but it can spread among people. The disease has been endemic in parts of west and central Africa for decades.
"Monkeypox does not spread easily between people," Glover said. "Transmission can occur through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (like) clothing, bedding, or through respiratory droplets."
The majority of patients recover, although it can be potentially fatal in some cases.
With files from CTV News Montreal
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreak spreads, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Russia warns Britain and plans nuclear drills over the West's possible deepening role in Ukraine
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.