The first confirmed case of monkeypox was identified in New Brunswick on Friday, according to the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Jennifer Russell.

Russell said: "The person did not travel, which means there may be other cases within the province.

We are really working closely with our regional public health teams to conduct contact tracing at this time and provide vaccines."

Currently, the monkeypox vaccine is not widely available to people.

Dr. Russell said: "We are offering vaccines to contacts of cases and affected cases."

The virus spreads through close physical contact with an infected person and not in the same way as COVID-19.

Dr. Mark MacMillan, President of the New Brunswick Medical Society, stated in the same context: "The virus seems to affect those who have close contact of a sexual nature at this time."

"I do not think we will see a large number of people, we will start recommending isolation, however, one case can lead to two cases and that can lead to more, so we have to acknowledge the fact that this virus is present in the country."