OTTAWA (ANTARA) – Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Theresa Tam, has confirmed a total of 168 cases of monkeypox (monkey pox) in this country until Friday (17/6).

Speaking at a health news conference, Canada’s top doctor said the confirmed cases have been reported nationally, including two cases in British Columbia, four cases in Alberta, 21 cases in Ontario and 141 cases in Quebec.

“We continue to monitor and respond to the evolving monkeypox situation, including supporting a number of provinces and territories in their efforts to launch targeted vaccination campaigns,” Tam said, adding that they are also working to raise awareness about how the virus is transmitted.

According to him, of the cases for which information is available and which have been reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada, all cases are men and are between the ages of 20 and 69.

However, the risk of contracting the monkeypox virus is not exclusive to any group or environment. Anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can become infected and spread the virus if they have close contact with someone who has monkeypox or with items they have used, such as personal items, towels or bed sheets, he said.

Monkeypox is a sylvatic zoonosis that can cause infection in humans and is typically found in forested regions of central and west Africa.

The disease is caused by the Monkeypox virus, which belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).