Toronto reports 343% increase in Mpox year to date
Toronto health officials report a significant increase in mpox, or monkeypox cases year to date.
As of July 31, a total of 93 cases has been confirmed in 2024 compared to 21 confirmed cases reported for the same period last year, an increase of 343 percent.
Officials report increasing cases in recent months following major events and festivals in the city.
While mpox cases have been reported across the city, Toronto Public Health (TPH) recorded a higher concentration of cases in residents in the downtown core.
In response to this spike in reported cases, TPH is working with community partners to increase awareness of the risk of getting mpox, improve access to vaccination and vaccinate eligible residents.
Mpox is a virus that spreads from person to person through contact with infected lesions, skin blisters, body fluids or respiratory secretions. It can also be transmitted by contact with materials contaminated with the virus including clothing or bedding and through bites or scratches from infected animals. Currently, mpox has spread mostly between people who have had close/intimate or sexual contact with a person who has the virus – with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men being most affected.
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Travel is not a significant factor among current cases which suggests local community transmission of the virus.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent further virus spread. TPH reminds at-risk residents to get vaccinated against mpox as the virus continues to spread in Toronto and other areas internationally. TPH recommends two doses of the vaccine to provide the best protection, and that the second dose be taken 28 days after the first dose. For those who have been in contact with the virus, mpox post-exposure prophylaxis is available. If a resident has already received a smallpox vaccine in the past, they should still get vaccinated for mpox as they may not be protected.