Two cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Quebec, the first such cases in the country, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
The agency says it has alerted public health authorities around Canada to look for symptoms in patients, regardless of whether they've travelled.
"This is an evolving and ongoing investigation, both in Canada and around the world," PHAC said in a statement on Thursday.
Earlier on Thursday, Montreal's top public health official urged people not to panic as her department investigated 17 cases of suspected monkeypox in the greater Montreal region.
Dr. Mylène Drouin said there were 15 suspected cases on the island of Montreal, one on the South Shore and another north of Laval.
It's not clear if the two cases confirmed by PHAC are among those 17.
"Most of our cases are not severe," said Drouin.
The agency says it has alerted public health authorities around Canada to look for symptoms in patients, regardless of whether they've travelled.
"This is an evolving and ongoing investigation, both in Canada and around the world," PHAC said in a statement on Thursday.
Earlier on Thursday, Montreal's top public health official urged people not to panic as her department investigated 17 cases of suspected monkeypox in the greater Montreal region.
Dr. Mylène Drouin said there were 15 suspected cases on the island of Montreal, one on the South Shore and another north of Laval.
It's not clear if the two cases confirmed by PHAC are among those 17.
"Most of our cases are not severe," said Drouin.