Canada Detects First Case of Monkeypox Subvariant 1

Canada’s Public Health Agency confirmed on Friday the detection of the first case of Monkeypox Subvariant 1 in the country, in a person residing in Manitoba.

The agency stated that this travel-related case is linked to the spread of the Subvariant 1 strain of the virus in Central and East Africa, according to Reuters.

In a statement, the agency noted: “The individual sought medical care for monkeypox symptoms in Canada shortly after returning from Africa and is currently in isolation.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on Friday that the monkeypox outbreak remains a public health emergency of international concern.

In August, the WHO had declared a global health emergency for the second time in two years due to the spread of a new strain of the virus, Subvariant 1b, from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries.

Canada’s Public Health Agency emphasized that although the risks to the population in Canada remain low at this time, it continues to monitor the situation closely.

It added that public health measures, including contact tracing, are ongoing.