The City of Brantford had its first case of monkeypox virus appear within Brant County over the last weeks.

Since then, the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) confirmed by email that, as of July 20, no new cases have appeared in the area and only the one confirmed case of the virus remains in the county.

The BCHU added that they will be hosting vaccination clinics for at-risk community members. The clinics are intended for community members 18-years-old and over who are transgender or cisgender individuals who self-identify as a man and belong to the community of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men community, as well as at least one of the following:

• Identify as a contact of an individual who recently tested positive for monkeypox.
• Have had two or more sexual partners within the past three weeks (21 days) or may be planning to.
• Have been diagnosed with a chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis infection over the past two months.
• Have attended bath houses, sex clubs and other venues for sexual contact within the past three weeks (21 days); this includes workers and volunteers.
• Have had anonymous or casual sex in the past three weeks (21 days); for example, after using an online dating app, engaged in or planning to take part in sex work.

The next clinic being hosted by the Brant County Health Unit will take place on July 27.

The Government of Ontario's website says:

• "Initial symptoms of monkeypox may include fever, chills, headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pain, and fatigue followed by a rash or sores, usually one to three days later, on the palms of the hands, on the soles of the feet, inside the mouth, and/or on the genitals. [In] some cases, the rash is the first symptom.
• Monkeypox is usually mild. It typically goes away on its own within two to four weeks.
• Those who have close contact with someone who has monkeypox infection while the person has symptoms are at risk of getting the virus.
• Severe cases are more common among newborns, children, pregnant people, and people who are immunocompromised. You can reduce your risk of getting monkeypox by avoiding close contact with people who have confirmed monkeypox or people with symptoms that might be due to monkeypox infection."

For more information on vaccine eligibility, or to book an appointment at a clinic, please visit the health unit's website bchu.org/monkeypox to access their online booking form.

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