OTTAWA, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Canada has confirmed 1,389 cases of monkeypox, the Public Health Agency of Canada said on Friday.

Of the confirmed cases, 667 are from Ontario, 517 from Quebec, 158 from British Columbia, 39 from Alberta, three from Saskatchewan, two from the Yukon and one each from Nova Scotia, Manitoba and New Brunswick, said the health agency.

The provinces are waiting for the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to provide guidance on if and how to start a second-dose strategy which is expected in the coming weeks.

Due to provincial shortages, regional public health units are offering one dose of the Imvamune vaccine, with second doses only recommended for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals, local media reported.

Monkeypox is a viral disease that can spread from person to person through close contact with an infected person, including through hugs, kisses, massages or sexual intercourse, according to experts.