Canada confirmed its first clade I mpox case in Manitoba, tied to an outbreak in central and eastern Africa.
The individual, who sought treatment after returning to Canada, is now isolating, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The National Microbiology Laboratory identified the sample as clade Ib mpox.
While clade II mpox has circulated in Canada since 2022, this marks the first confirmed clade I case in the country.
The World Health Organization recently reaffirmed mpox as a global public health emergency amid the spread of clade Ib in Africa.
PHAC stated the infection risk remains low in Canada but is conducting contact tracing and monitoring the situation.