Sunday June 19, 2022 | 09:28 WIB

Unggul Wirawan / WIR

Ottawa, Beritasatu.com– Canada confirmed a total of 168 cases of monkeypox on Friday (6/17/2022). As reported Xinhua, This data was provided by Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, Theresa Tam.

Speaking at a health briefing, the chief medical officer said these confirmed cases have been reported across the country, including two cases in British Columbia, four in Alberta, 21 in Ontario and 141 in Quebec.

“We continue to monitor and respond to the evolving monkeypox situation, including supporting provinces and territories in their efforts to launch targeted vaccination campaigns,” he said.

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Tam added that the agency is working to raise awareness about how the virus is transmitted.

According to Tam, of the cases for which information is available and which have been reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada, all cases are male and are between the ages of 20 and 69.

Read also: Canada issues travel warning over monkeypox

However, the risk of contracting the monkeypox virus is not exclusive to any group or environment. Anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can become infected and spread the virus if they are in close contact with someone who has monkeypox or with items they have used, such as personal items, towels or sheets.

Monkey pox is sylvatic zoonosis which can cause infection in humans and this disease usually occurs in forested regions of Central and West Africa. It is caused by the Monkeypox virus which belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).