Canada's top doctor urges Canadians to practice safer sex amid monkeypox spread

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, stated that the Public Health Agency of Canada is recommending Canadian practice safer sex amid monkeypox spread.

Having fewer sexual partners, particularly anonymous partners, even when they don't have symptoms can also reduce your risk of getting infected.Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer

"Typically, the virus spreads through close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, respiratory droplets or skin source, but it can slo be spread by direct contact with their personal or shared objects."

As of July 26, Canada has recorded 745 confirmed cases of monkeypox. Over 99 per cent are male and the median age was 36 year old, the majority of cases reported involved intimate sexual contact with other men.

"Nevertheless, this is aa reminder that monkeypox virus can spread through close contact with an infected person or contaminated items," Tam warned.

Over 70,000 monkeypox vaccine doses have been distributed to Canadians provinces and territories. When asked about Canadians needing a second dose of the vaccine, Dr. Tam said that in order to stop the chains of transmission, the strategy is to get as many first doses to people as possible, while the authorization of the vaccine does permit a two-dose series with a 28-day interval.

Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and development of a new rash.

Several Canadians have also taken to social media to comment on the monkeypox public health emergency.

With all we’ve been through, we shouldn’t have to fight for basic public health measures like #PaidSickDays to protect our communities - but we will. Thank you Len, @kristynwongtam @CbrcResearch @DecentWorkHlth for your advocacy as we confront #monkeypox. https://t.co/mMjicZYpjm

— Marit Stiles (@maritstiles) July 27, 2022

So in order to get a #monkeypox vaccine in Toronto, you have to admit to being a gay or bi or pan person who has regular casual sex and/or a recent STI from hookups. It's a level 2 infection FFS. Didn't we learn anything from the AIDS crisis? Neither of these are gay diseases.

— Charlie C Petch 🇺🇦 (@sawpoet) July 23, 2022