REGINA — Due to the risk of identifying the individual, information about the location, gender and age of Saskatchewan's first confirmed case of monkeypox will not be released.
Health officials will provide public notification to a community or location if the risk to others is considered high, stated a release issued by the provincial government Wednesday.
"The risk in Saskatchewan and Canada remains low, but residents are encouraged to be aware of the symptoms and contact a health care provider if they suspect they may be infected," Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Julie Kryzanowski said in the release.
Public health's investigation, including contact tracing, is underway but indicates acquisition likely occurred outside of the province.
According to the release, typical symptoms of the rare disease of monkeypox include fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes. Monkeypox does not spread easily from person to person. It is spread through:
- prolonged face-to-face close contact;
- touching bodily fluids or lesions of a person who is sick with the disease; or
- exposure to contaminated objects such as bed linens or clothing.
Saskatchewan Health says that if you have recently travelled to areas of Canada or the world with confirmed cases of monkeypox or have been in contact with an individual with suspected or confirmed monkeypox, and develop fever or other symptoms of illness within three weeks of returning to Saskatchewan, you should call HealthLine 811 or consult a health care provider immediately.
The Ministry of Health and Saskatchewan Health Authority have increased surveillance for monkeypox and have alerted health care providers about signs, symptoms and treatment. The province is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada and National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg to investigate any further potential cases of monkeypox in Saskatchewan.
More information is available at .
