Saskatchewan’s track record in infectious disease control has been questioned internationally.
The 24th International AIDS Conference was held in Montreal last week. The growing number of monkeypox outbreaks around the world has become a topic of discussion, given the spread of cases in recent months.
One researcher has expressed concern that some regions are not taking these outbreaks seriously enough, thus targeting Saskatchewan.
“We know that in Saskatchewan there have been many challenges, both with HIV and sexually transmitted infections, especially among vulnerable populations, including Indigenous communities,” said Marina Klein, research director and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and the Service of Chronic Viral Diseases at McGill University in Montreal.
While Saskatchewan has only reported two cases of monkeypox, both in July, more than 19,000 cases have been reported from 78 countries in the past few months.
Comparisons have been made with HIV because the disease is most easily transmitted through face-to-face or prolonged sexual contact. The majority of reported cases involved men who have sex with men.
Saskatchewan has experienced high rates of HIV transmission for years, often with the highest rates in Canada.
There were a record 237 diagnoses in 2021, an increase of nearly 30% from the previous year and more than double the national average.
The province also struggles with other sexually transmitted infections.
For example, the rate of syphilis cases in Saskatchewan increased by 891% from 2016 to 2020, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, also two to three times higher than the national rate. Much of these increases are seen in vulnerable communities, including First Nations.
Prairie Harm Reduction in Saskatoon has begun providing information to customers about the risks and precautions associated with monkeypox.
Kayla DeMong, the executive director, says groups like hers have reason to be concerned because any illness or disease that spreads easily is worrisome to organizations that work with vulnerable people in Saskatchewan.
“It’s hard to trust our province when we consistently see huge gaps in sufficient planning for health pandemics and endemics in vulnerable populations,” she said.
She attributes this to a lack of consideration on the part of those leading the fight to contain these diseases.
“Often when plans are made, they aren’t. [with] vulnerable populations in mind,” she said. “They are made for a general population.
She noted that many Saskatoon-based organizations that work with vulnerable people meet regularly to discuss challenges faced by their clients, including monkeypox.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health will only say that the risk of contracting the disease is low in Saskatchewan and that the province is monitoring cases closely.
“The Saskatchewan Department of Health is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada to investigate all reports of potential cases of monkeypox in Saskatchewan. Public health authorities and clinicians are urged to be vigilant and consider monkeypox in their differential diagnosis of patients presenting with unusual disease. a rash, as well as other clinical signs consistent with monkeypox,” read a written statement provided by the ministry.
The statement also says that information is being released.
“Public awareness and education is provided through the Government of Saskatchewan website, social media and various outreach efforts. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is currently doing outreach work with identified high-risk groups. community organizations and businesses (food banks, gyms, clubs, etc.) to better inform the public about potential risks.
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