Ontario man who contracted monkeypox shares his story
Peter Kelly was one of the first people in Ontario to contract monkeypox.
"I did have a lot of fever, headache, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes in my groin and so on and it took many days for even the sores to start to pop up," Kelly said.
The dancer and personal trainer had to quarantine for nearly a month and lost work. The experience, taking a huge toll.
"I think the mental health aspect of things, I didn't really recognize was gonna be such a big thing for me and dealing with the stigma in the messages, hateful messages and so on and not even wanting to disclose that I have it to my friends and family because I'm embarrassed or I'm worried what they're going to think."
Canada’s top doctor says monkeypox can spread to anyone through close contact with an infected person or contaminated items like towels and bed linens.
Dr. Theresa Tam says gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, who make up nearly all cases, should be vigilant.
"The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends practicing safer sex, having fewer sexual partners, particularly anonymous partners, even when they don’t have symptoms, can also reduce your risk of getting infected," said Dr. Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer.
As of Wednesday, there are 23 cases of monkeypox in Ottawa, 326 province-wide.
Symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, headache, exhaustion, and a rash.
To date, Ottawa Public Health says 1,449 vaccines for monkeypox have been given out in the city with on-going clinics.
"There is optimism that by focusing efforts in Canada and worldwide, we can seize this window of opportunity to contain the spread," said Dr. Tam.
Kelly is sharing his story to help stop the stigma.
"With me kind of opening up more publicly about my story it's kind of given me a lot of confidence also and to know that there are a lot of supporters, there's a lot of support out there and kind people."
He’s also advocating for more supports for those who may not have the physical or financial means to quarantine.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.