Vancouver City MP advocates for anti-stigma activities to help curb the monkeypox outbreak

By Daniel Itai

Dr. Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament (MP) for Vancouver Centre suggests that anti-stigma activities could help in curbing the monkeypox outbreak.

According to Dr. Fry, monkeypox is not just limited to 2SLGBTQIA+ persons citing that the narrative should be changed.

"Prevention, education, awareness, and anti-stigma activities are key to our government's fight against the monkeypox outbreak. Monkeypox is prevalent but not limited to this community (2SLGBTQIA+ persons)," said Dr. Fry.

In addition, Dr. Theresa Tam, the Chief Public Health Officer (CBHO) said anyone can get monkeypox.

"Monkeypox risk is not exclusive to any group or setting. Anyone, no matter their sex, race, gender or sexual orientation, could get infected and spread the monkeypox virus via close contact with an infected person or contaminated items.

As monkeypox spreads via close contact, having multiple sexual partners especially anonymous can increase risk of infection. Good habits to reduce risks include, practicing safer sex, staying home and away from others if symptomatic, amongst others," said Dr.Tam.

Current evidence suggests that monkeypox spreads in three ways, from person to person, through direct contact with contaminated objects and from animals to humans.

Since May 2022, there have been cases of monkeypox in several countries where the disease is not normally found, including Canada.

Currently, person to person transmission is occurring in Canada. In line with international trends, the majority of cases in Canada to date are men who reported intimate sexual contact with other men. However, it's important to stress that the risk of exposure to the monkeypox virus is not exclusive to any group or setting.

Monkeypox can spread from person to person through contact with an infected person's lesions or scabs that may be found on the skin or mucosal surfaces (such as eyes, mouth, throat, genitalia, anus, or rectum).

It may also be possible for it to spread through contact with an infected person's body fluids such as blood, saliva, and semen, for instance during sexual contact, including oral and non-penetrative contact, when providing care or when living in the same household.

The virus may spread through respiratory particles, such as from talking, breathing, coughing or sneezing, during close contact. An infected pregnant person may also pass on the virus to their developing fetus through the placenta.

However, health officials are still uncertain on whether or not if an infected person with no symptoms can spread the virus to others.