A Lambton County resident has tested positive for monkeypox.
Lambton Public Health confirmed its first laboratory-confirmed case of the viral disease on Wednesday and said the infected individual is currently self-isolating at home.
Health officials said the case was most likely acquired outside of the county and public health staff have followed up with potential close contacts.
“Although a case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Lambton, transmission is not widespread at this time,” said Dr. Sudit Ranade, the acting medical officer of health for Lambton County.
As of August 2, there were 423 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Ontario.
Public health said monkeypox can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or mucous membranes. Infections are typically mild with most people recovering on their own in two to four weeks.
The spread of monkeypox from person to person can occur through close contact with an infected individual’s bodily fluids or skin lesions.
