'Please disregard': Interior Health issues monkeypox scam warning
A B.C. health authority is giving people another reason to ignore automated phone calls.
“The call claims you have been exposed to monkeypox. Please disregard,” Interior Health posted to Twitter Tuesday morning.
According to the tweet, anyone who has been exposed to an infectious disease would be notified by a nurse, not an automated call.
Interior Health tells CTV News that so far, three calls of this nature have been reported by individuals within its jurisdiction.
“It does not appear that the calls are asking for any personal information nor do they provide a means of contacting back the caller,” says Shayne Meechan, the health authority’s communications consultant. “However, these calls are not limited to the Interior.”
At the time of reporting, the BC Centre for Disease Control was not able to provide further information about possible scams in the province's remaining four health authorities.
Since the first case of monkeypox in B.C. was reported in June, the province has seen a total of 173. The latest data from Oct. 11 shows six of those cases are from Interior Health.
The province is now offering a second dose of the monkey pox vaccine, after rolling out the first shot in late July. Only people who are considered most at-risk are eligible for the vaccine, which includes anyone who identifies as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with other men.
Monkeypox is a viral disease that’s transmitted between humans through close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials, according to the World Health Organization.
Symptoms include a fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and generally last between two to four weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.