The Canadian heading the World Health Organization’s fight against monkeypox says it’s crucial to act before the virus begin spreading in the general population.
Dr. Rosamund Lewis, the WHO’s technical lead for monkeypox, grew up in Thunder Bay, Ont., and Ottawa before studying medicine at McGill University.
Get weekly health news
Lewis says it’s important not to be alarmist about the virus which spreads through close contact, including sexual contact, and has so far primarily affected men who have sex with men.
She says it’s important for people to be aware of the symptoms and risks associated with the virus and take precautions if they are at risk.
- ‘It’s heartbreaking,’ says Ontario First Nation amid 2nd evacuation this summer
- Congo to receive 70K doses of Ervebo Ebola vaccine used in past outbreaks
- Report says wait times in Quebec emergency rooms were 11 minutes shorter last year
- Ultra low emission zones linked to improved lung capacity in kids: UK study
She says a situation like the current outbreak has never been seen before, it’s possible the virus has mutated to become more transmissible, and many of the current cases are less severe than those stemming from the “classic” presentation of the virus.
Lewis says in the past, people have usually been exposed to the virus after eating wild meat.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.