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Mpox or monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible) or the respiratory tract. It can also enter through the eyes, nose or mouth.

The 2022 Mpox outbreak was declared over in B.C. on January 9, 2023.

Vaccination is still available to close contacts and those at the highest risk of infection.

How it spreads

Mpox can spread from animals to humans, from person to person and through contact with objects used by someone with mpox.

Mpox spreads through close, personal and often skin-to-skin contact, including:

Direct contact with sores or blisters of a person with mpox
Contact with items like bedding or towels that someone with mpox has used
Respiratory droplets during prolonged close, face-to-face contact with a person who has mpox.

Most cases in 2022 were passed during close, intimate contact during sex.

Symptoms

Symptoms can last 2 to 4 weeks and occur in two stages.

First stage

In the first stage, symptoms can include:

Fever
Chills
Intense headache
Swollen lymph nodes
Back pain
Muscle pain
Fatigue or exhaustion

Less common symptoms can include sore throat, cough, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

Second stage

The second stage usually starts 1 to 5 days after stage one. During this stage, you may develop a rash on your body. This rash can appear on any body part, including your hands and feet, legs and arms, face or genitals.

Mpox sores usually last between 2 to 3 weeks. The sores change in appearance over time from raised spots to small blisters filled with fluid. They eventually form a scab and fall off.

If you are exposed to mpox

If you have had contact with a person with known or suspected mpox, please monitor for symptoms. Symptoms can develop within 5 days to 3 weeks after exposure.

Public health is reaching out to known contacts of cases at risk of developing the infection. Contact your regional health authority's local public health office if you think you've been exposed but have not yet heard from public health.

Public health does not use pre-recorded or automated calls to notify individuals of infections or possible exposure to mpox or other communicable diseases.

If you become ill

If you become ill and have had contact with a person with known or suspected mpox:

Contact your health care provider to get tested. Let them know if you have had contact with someone who has known or suspected mpox
Find a clinic atSmartSexResource.com

While waiting to see your health care provider, please:

Avoid close, intimate contact and sex with others
Do not share towels, clothing, sheets or other things that have touched your skin
Cover sores or blisters as much as possible with clothing or bandages
Wear a mask when you are in close contact with others
Ask members of your household, family, or friends to look after pets so you do not spread mpox to animals
Dispose masks, bandages, or other contaminated materials in a high quality garbage bag. Keep the bag in an animal-proof container so pets or wild animals (particularly, rodents) can't get into it

It is especially important to avoid close contact with people who may be at greater risk of experiencing severe illness, including pregnant people, people with a weakened immune system or children.

If you have mpox, public health will contact you to give more instructions.

If you test positive for mpox

See your healthcare provider or go to your nearest Urgent Primary Care Centre or Emergency Department if you experience the following:

Worsening or new throat or rectal pain
Severe fever or chills
Shortness of breath or chest pain
New pox blisters on multiple parts of your body

Treatment options

Mpox is usually a mild illness and most people recover on their own after a few weeks. People experiencing severe disease may need medications to manage pain or skin infections. In rare cases, some people may need treatment in hospital.

Vaccination against mpox

Imvamune is the vaccine used in Canada to protect against mpox. It helps your body build immunity without getting very sick.

The vaccine can be used two ways:

Before exposure to mpox
The vaccine is given before you are exposed to the virus. This helps protect you and reduce your risk of getting mpox. This is called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis.

After exposure to mpox, before you have symptoms
The vaccine is given after being exposed to the virus. This prevents illness or severe outcomes. This is called Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.

For more information about who is eligible to get a vaccine and how to book an appointment, visit:

No vaccine is 100% effective. If you have been vaccinated and develop symptoms, follow the steps under "If you become ill" to protect yourself and others.