Saskatchewan gov’t reports second case of monkeypox

Just two days after the Saskatchewan government reported the first case of monkeypox in the province, a second case has been detected.

The government announced the case Friday and said it’s not epidemiologically linked to the case announced Wednesday. The Ministry of Health stressed the risk in the province remains low.

“Public health’s investigation, including contact tracing, is ongoing but indicates acquisition likely occurred outside of the province,” the government said in a media release.

The ministry said it wouldn’t be releasing the location, gender or age of the individual to avoid the possibility of identifying them.

“Health officials will provide public notification to a community or location if the risk to others is considered high,” the release added.

Monkeypox doesn’t spread easily between people. It’s spread through prolonged face-to-face close contact, touching bodily fluids or lesions of a person who has the disease, or exposure to contaminated objects such as bed linens or clothing.

Symptoms include fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes.

Anyone who has recently travelled to areas with confirmed cases of monkeypox or who has been in contact with a person with suspected or confirmed monkeypox and has developed symptoms within three weeks of returning to Saskatchewan is urged to call HealthLine 811 or consult a health-care provider.