Monkeypox

Our Health Unit region confirmed its first case of mpox (monkeypox) in July, 2022. The risk of contracting mpox in our district remains very low.

Anyone can get infected and spread mpox regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and race. Understanding of the virus is still evolving, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

What is mpox (monkeypox)?

Mpox (monkeypox) is a rare viral illness caused by the mpox virus. The mpox virus can be contracted by anyone - no matter their age, race, gender or sexual orientation. However, transmission patterns currently suggest that men who have sex with men have been impacted the most, and it is primarily spreading through sustained close/intimate contact and sexual networks. The virus does not spread through casual contact.   

We have not had transmission of mpox within our district and the risk of contracting mpox locally remains low. 

What are the symptoms of mpox (monkeypox)?

Symptoms usually start 5 to 21 days after being exposed and typically last for 2 to 4 weeks.

People will develop a rash and/or skin lesion(s) that can be found on any part of the body.

The rash goes through different stages and eventually forms scabs that later fall off and heal
The rash may be painful

Other symptoms can include fever, chills and/or sweats, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle/body aches, back pain, joint pain, sore throat, cough, runny nose or nasal congestion, weakness, and/or exhaustion.

View what the lesions can look like on this page.

How is mpox (monkeypox) spread?

From one person with the virus to another person through:

Contact with lesions or scabs on the skin or mucosal surfaces (such as eyes, mouth, genitalia, anus or rectum)
Body fluids

Respiratory particles via breathing, talking, coughing, or sneezing
Pregnancy (infected pregnant person may pass the virus through the placenta to the fetus)

From direct contact with contaminated objects, materials, or surfaces used by a person with mpox (monkeypox)
From infected animals to humans through a bite or scratch, contact with lesions or body fluids

How to prevent being infected with mpox (monkeypox)?

Wash your hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after contact with an infected animal or human.
Use Personal Protective Equipment when required.
Avoid contact with individuals and animals that could have the virus.
Avoid contact with materials that have been in contact with a sick animal or person.

Further suggestions for reducing exposure risk to mpox (monkeypox) is provided by the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance.
If you believe you have been exposed to mpox but do not have any symptoms you do not need to self-isolate, but you should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure.

Testing for mpox (monkeypox)

If you spot a new rash or blisters or any other of the listed mpox (monkeypox) symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or call the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808.

It is important that you are tested as soon as possible.

If you test positive for mpox you will be contacted by a Health Unit staff member, who will walk you through the next steps.

How to prevent spreading mpox (monkeypox) to others?

It is important to self-isolate f you have or think you have mpox (monkeypox). Tips to avoid spreading the infection:

Stay in a separate room, away from other people you live with

Eat meals in a separate room, away from other people you live with
Use a separate bathroom, if available, from people you live with
Avoid areas commonly used by other people you live with, if possible
Do not attend work, school, or public areas
Have essential items (e.g. medication or groceries) delivered to you. Items should be left outside to avoid contact with the delivery person

Avoid leaving where you live unless you must seek urgent medical care

Do not use public transportation
Use your own private vehicle, if possible. If a private vehicle is not available, contact the Health Unit for options
Inform the health care provider before you leave and when you arrive
Maintain a physical distance of at least 2 metres from others

Wear a medical mask. If you do not have a medical mask, wear a face covering, and ask for a medical mask when you arrive
Practice good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (cover mouth when coughing or sneezing)

Keep rash and/or lesion(s) covered (wear bandages, long sleeve top, and long pants) Avoid contact with other people

Avoid contact with people at higher risk of severe illness(immunosuppressed, pregnant, or children under 12 years of age)
Avoid having visitors in your home, unless it is essential

Avoid sexual contact

Be mindful of contaminated objects, materials, or surfaces

Use household disinfectant wipes to disinfect any shared object or surface touched
Do not vacuum unless the vacuum is equipped with a HEPA filter
Do not share dishes or utensils

Use separate clothing, bedding, towels, and linens

Avoid direct contact with these items when doing laundry (wear disposable gloves)
Do not shake soiled laundry
Wash with warm water and detergent

Throw out any items that could be contaminated (e.g. tissues, bandages) into a dedicated garbage bin

Wear gloves and double bag the waste using strong bags, tie them well, and store them in a secure bin until ready for disposal
Do not touch the outside of the garbage bin
Wash your hands after changing the bin

Avoid contact with animals

This includes household pets, poultry, and livestock

Keep pets in the home
If possible, ask someone else you live with who is not sick and has not been exposed to care for your pet
If this is not possible, avoid close or prolonged contact with pets (e.g. touching, snuggling, and kissing)

Wear a mask when in the same room as any pet
Wash hands immediately before and after touching pets, their food, or supplies

If you have any rash or lesion(s) on your hands, wear disposable gloves before contact with your pets

The Health Unit will let you know when you can stop self-isolating

Is there a treatment for mpox (monkeypox)?

Most people will recover from mpox (monkeypox) on their own, without needing treatment
Medication can be taken to help with symptoms and pain control

Take proper care of your lesion(s)
There are no treatments specifically for mpox. Prescription antiviral drugs developed to protect against smallpox may be used to treat mpox for those that are, or at risk ofexperiencing severe illness

Is there a vaccine against mpox (monkeypox)?

Imvamune® is a smallpox vaccine that can be used to protect against mpox (monkeypox) as well. It is not 100% effective, so reasonable measures to prevent exposure are still recommended.
Imvamune® is available at the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit for individuals who have been identified as contacts of mpox cases, as well as eligible individuals* at higher risk of being exposed to mpox.

*Individuals eligible for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP):

a) Two-spirited, non-binary, trans- or cis-gender individuals who self-identify or have sexual partners who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community AND at least one of the following:
• Have received a diagnosis of bacterial STI (i.e., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) in the past 2 months;
• Have had 2 or more sexual partners recently or may be planning to;
• Have attended venues for sexual contact (i.e., bath houses, sex clubs) recently or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings; or

• Have had anonymous sex (e.g., using hookup apps) recently or may be planning to; and/or
• Are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work.
b) Any individual who engages in sex work or may be planning to.

To be screened for eligibility and to book an appointment contact the Health Unit’s Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program at 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5252. Appointments will continue to be booked based on vaccine availability, should there no longer be vaccine available a waitlist is being created. 

More mpox (monkeypox) information:

Public Health Agency of Canada
Ontario Ministry of Health
Public Health Ontario
Contact our Communicable Disease Control Program at 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5229.

References:

Ministry of Health. Appendix 1: Case definitions and disease-specific information – Disease: Smallpox and other Orthopoxviruses, including Monkeypox. July 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/oph_standards/docs/smallpox_chapter.pdf
Ministry of Health. Recommendations for the management of cases and contacts of monkeypox in Ontario. July 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/emb/docs/monkeypox_case_contact_mngt_recco.pdf
Public Health Agency of Canada. Monkeypox: How it spreads, prevention and risks. August 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/monkeypox/risks.html

Public Health Agency of Canada. Monkeypox: Public health management of cases and contacts in Canada. June 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/monkeypox/health-professionals/management-cases-contacts.html
Public Health Agency of Canada. Monkeypox: Symptoms, getting tested, what to do if you’re infected or were exposed. June 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/monkeypox/symptoms-management.html