Canadian travellers may be worried about contracting monkeypox after a public health warning was issued earlier this week urging caution for those planning to go abroad.
While there are ongoing concerns about the number of cases cropping up in countries that don’t normally see this virus, experts say the risk of outbreaks that could cause pandemic-level spread of the illness remains low.
And when it comes to travel, the risks of contracting monkeypox is also not something of major concern, says Dave Evans, an expert on virology and poxviruses at the University of Alberta. “Realistically, I know the numbers sound large, but in the great scheme of things, it’s almost non-existent as far as risks go for infectious diseases,” Evans said. Read more: Monkeypox: More than 1,000 cases reported in non-endemic countries, WHO says “If you’re travelling to other parts of the world and you’re meeting strangers, whatever you’re up to, there are some things common sense says that you should be aware of.
But I really would not worry about monkeypox.” On Tuesday, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) issued a level two travel health notice to encourage people travelling outside the country to take extra precautions amid the ongoing monkeypox outbreak in countries around the world.