Ottawa public health officials ramp up mpox vaccination efforts

Article content

As the world’s attention turns to a new, more virulent strain of mpox spreading in Central Africa, public health officials in Ottawa are increasing efforts to ensure those at the highest risk here are vaccinated. That includes offering additional vaccination clinics during Pride Week.

MAX Ottawa, a community health organization serving the 2SLGBTQ+ community, ran a fully booked vaccination clinic Tuesday. Executive director Adam Awad said the organization hopes to run another one on Saturday, a reflection of concern in the community.

Article content

“It is definitely on peoples’ radars,” he said.

Concerns about an upsurge of the more aggressive and deadly strain of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), led the World Health Organization (WHO) last week to declare mpox a public emergency of international concern.

There have been no cases of the more aggressive strain known as clade 1 mpox identified in Canada so far, but cases of another, less virulent, strain, clade 2, have been surging in parts of Ontario, mainly Toronto.

Clade 2 spreads through close, intimate or sexual contact with someone who has the virus, according to public health officials.

Between January and mid-July 2024, 102 cases of clade 2 mpox were confirmed in Ontario, the vast majority in Toronto. Toronto Public Health is urging eligible residents to get vaccinated as cases continue to rise.

Ottawa has seen five cases of clade 2 mpox so far this year, the most recent case confirmed in May, according to Ottawa Public Health. That is more than last year at this time, but fewer than in 2022 when clade 2 mpox caused an epidemic in Canada, largely centred in the Montreal area.

Article content

Still, associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Laura Bourns said Ottawa Public Health is “actively promoting” vaccination against mpox through targeted communications with partners and healthcare providers in Ottawa.

Vaccines are also available to those who are eligible at Ottawa Public Health’s sexual health clinic on Clarence Street.

Awad of MAX Ottawa said the uptick in cases in Toronto, especially during Pride season, is what has concerned many members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, in addition to the more virulent strain beginning to spread. “We know Ottawa is not an island. People travel and viruses travel.” He said many people who already have one shot are coming in for a second vaccine.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says it is closely monitoring the situation, including assessing public health and travel advice and conducting risk assessments.

Wastewater in Ottawa continues to be tested for both clade 1 and clade 2 mpox, even after the Ontario government cut funding for the extensive province-wide wastewater surveillance program at the end of July. Current funding for Ottawa’s wastewater surveillance program is expected to last until the end of September.

Article content

Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or lesions which can last two to four weeks, and can be accompanied by symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

In Ontario, mpox is a reportable disease. Ottawa Public Health is notified by health care providers in Ottawa when an individual is suspected of having mpox. Laboratory results that are positive are also reported to OPH, according to associate medical officer of health Dr. Laura Bourns.

The vaccine for mpox is effective in two doses, but eligibility is limited in Ontario to those who had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection within the last year as well as those who have or are planning to have two or more sexual partners, or are in a relationship where at least one of the partners may have other sexual partners.

According to Bourns of OPH, the vast majority of people who test positive for mpox in Canada to date are men who reported intimate sexual contact with other men, “however, other groups can be infected.”

She said “at-risk groups” are encouraged to get two doses of the vaccine Imvamune.

Article content

“The majority of individuals who test positive for mpox have either not been vaccinated with Imvamune or have had only one dose.”

Despite growing concern about the outbreak in Africa, Ontario residents who want to protect themselves because they are travelling are not eligible for mpox vaccine.

Global health officials are calling on wealthier countries to step up to address vaccine inequities in parts of Africa where the illness is surging.

“It is clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said when he declared the emergency of international concern.

Wealthier nations were accused of hoarding vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, while global health officials say it is crucial that countries where cases are exploding need better access to vaccines, testing and treatment.

Earlier this week, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly announced $1 million to help stem the spread of mpox in Africa. Canada had earlier contributed $2 million to the WHO to help respond to health emergencies.

More information is available on the OPH website: ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/monkeypox-virus.aspx

Article content