UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: Province identifies first case of monkeypox in Manitoba

Provincial health officials are set to hold a press conference this afternoon to give an update on monkeypox in Manitoba.

Dr. Jazz Atwal, Manitoba's deputy chief provincial public health officer, will be speaking with reporters at 1 p.m. from the Legislative Building. You will be able to watch the press conference live on this page at that time.

Manitoba public health's information page on monkeypox currently states that there are no known cases of the disease in the province. "Since May 2022, human cases of monkeypox have been identified in several countries where it is not typically found," the pages says.

While the disease does not transmit easily between people, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on July 23. Cases have also been confirmed in several provinces and territories in Canada. 

"Most cases are self-limited, which means they don’t require treatment and resolve within two to four weeks," public health says.

Almost 170 doses of the monkeypox vaccine have been given to date in Manitoba.