The number of monkeypox cases in Quebec has doubled in less than a week, according to an update from the Ministry of Health.
The ministry said on Twitter on Wednesday that there were 52 reported cases in Quebec as of May 31.
Last Thursday, Health Quebec said there were 25 confirmed cases in the province, most of them in Montreal.
Health officials said the virus does not spread easily between people and is not as contagious as the virus that causes COVID-19.
Quebec has the largest reported outbreak of monkeypox in the country.
Toronto Public Health said Wednesday that there is a second confirmed case of monkeypox in the city. It affects a man in his forties.
The first case of the disease in Toronto was confirmed on May 26.
Public health said six other cases are still under investigation. Nine cases we are investigating have been declared negative.
In New Brunswick, the Health Minister said the province had seen a suspected case of monkeypox.
Dorothy Shephard reported that the case was first seen in early May, but has not yet been confirmed by a national lab in Winnipeg.
Until the case is confirmed, Ms Shephard said she would not release any details about the person involved or the area of the province where they live.
Rare Outbreaks of Disease
Monkeypox is a rare disease that comes from the family of viruses that cause smallpox. The World Health Organization (WHO) was declared the last disease eradicated worldwide in 1980.
The symptoms reported mainly consist of skin lesions in the mouth and genitals. These symptoms may be preceded or accompanied by fever, night sweats, headache, swollen glands, and joint or muscle pain.
The disease resolves on its own in two to four weeks in most cases. However, very rare cases of serious complications can occur.
Source: Radio-Canada
