News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health has been made aware of a confirmed case of monkeypox in New Brunswick.

The individual is currently in isolation and is being monitored. This individual had not recently traveled outside of the province. Public Health contact tracers are working to determine the source of the infection and identify and notify close contacts of the individual.

“New Brunswickers should know that monkeypox virus spreads by close contact with infected humans or animals and does not spread like COVID-19”, said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “The general public is not at a similar level of risk but should still be aware of how to reduce their personal risk.”

Public Health is notified of any presumptive Monkeypox cases and will follow up in accordance with public health guidelines for case and contact management. Cases are then confirmed by the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.

Public Health will report any future confirmed cases through the website. For more information, visit: www.gnb.ca/monkeypox.

The province is working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada and associated partners to ensure that additional vaccines will be available. Based on the available supply, the department’s current strategy is to offer the vaccine to close contacts of a case.

Public Health Canada is reporting that: In line with international trends, the majority of cases in Canada are men who reported intimate sexual contact with other men. However, it's important to stress that the risk of exposure to the monkeypox virus is not exclusive to any group or setting.

Having multiple sexual partners may increase your overall risk of infection.