7 cases of monkeypox under investigation in Toronto, confirmed cases remain at 1

Toronto Public Health (TPH) say they are investigating another suspected case of monkeypox, bringing the total number of suspected cases to five.

One case has been confirmed and another two are probable. A probable case is defined as someone with symptoms of the virus and either contact with a confirmed case or travel to a region where a confirmed case has been detected.

Those without an epidemiological link, but who are suffering from symptoms are considered suspected cases.

All the individuals have undergone lab testing and are recovering at home. TPH says they continue to follow up with anyone who is thought to have been exposed to monkeypox and work in conjunction with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Public Health Ontario.

Over the weekend, TPH indicated anyone who attended an event at the Axis Club, at 722 College St., on May 14, and Woody’s Bar, at 467 Church St., on May 13 and May 14, may have been exposed to monkeypox.

RELATED: Monkeypox: What is it? Q&A with infectious diseases specialist

Monkeypox is a rare disease that is slow to spread and seems to require more prolonged contact, or skin-to-skin contact and comes from the same family of viruses that causes smallpox, which the World Health Organization declared eradicated around the globe in 1980.

Monkeypox is typically milder than smallpox and can cause fever, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, swollen lymph nodes and lesions all over the body.

Health officials have said the risk posed by monkeypox is low.

Efforts are also ramping up to address any early misconceptions about the virus and reduce potential stigma, amid reports several of the confirmed and suspected monkeypox cases involve men who have sex with men, something that has fueled intolerance before during the HIV and AIDS epidemics.