Mpox

Mpox is a disease caused by the mpox virus. It can cause rash, sores and flu-like symptoms. Most people recover on their own within a few weeks, but some people may need medical care.

How it spreads

Mpox typically spreads through close, personal contact, often through skin-to-skin contact. This can include:

• Direct contact with the sores or affected areas (such as the mouth, genitals, or skin) of a person with mpox
• Prolonged, close face-to-face contact with an infected person through respiratory droplets

Mpox can also spread through contact with contaminated objects such as touching bedding, towels, or clothing that have been used by someone with mpox or from animals to humans.

In B.C., most people who have gotten mpox were exposed during close, intimate contact during sex.

What are the symptoms of mpox?

Mpox symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after exposure but can take anywhere from five to 21 days to appear and can last up to two to four weeks.

• The infection may start with flu-like symptoms including:
• Fever or chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Intense headaches
• Muscle aches
• Back pain
• Fatigue
• One to five days later, a skin rash or lesions appears on genitals, hands, feet and/or mouth. The rash/lesions may start in one place and spread to other parts of the body.
• In some people, the rash may be limited to one or more lesions in the genital and anal area.

People are infectious from the time symptoms first appear until the skin or mucosal lesions are healed. People may also be contagious up to 4 days before symptoms begin, but it is not currently known how often transmission happens before symptoms begin.

If you have been exposed to mpox

If you have been in close contact with a person with a confirmed or suspected mpox infection, monitor for symptoms. Symptoms can start 5 to 21 days after exposure.

If you become ill and suspect mpox

People experiencing symptoms of mpox should see their primary care provider, or visit a sexual health clinic or an Urgent and Primary Care Centre. Whenever possible, the clinic should be informed ahead of time about the reason for the visit. 

Sexual health clinics can be found using the BCCDC SmartSexResource clinic finder.

If someone experiences symptoms of mpox, they should follow these prevention measures when around other people:

• Avoid close contact with other people
• Wear a mask when in close contact with people
• Keep any sores or blisters covered as much as possible (e.g. long sleeves, long pants). Avoid touching, popping or rubbing sores as it may slow healing and spread the sores to other parts of the body
• Practice good hand hygiene
• Do not share towels, clothing or bedding or anything that has touched your skin
• If possible, have another member of your household care for pets to reduce the risk of spreading mpox to animals.
• If you need to care for your pets while you are sick, follow the same precautions you use to protect other people.
• Dispose of masks, bandages, and other contaminated items in a sturdy garbage bag. Place the bag in a secure, animal-proof bin so pets or wildlife (especially rodents) cannot access it.

Managing symptoms

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

Please see your health care provider or go to your nearest Urgent and Primary Care Centre if you experience the following after testing positive for mpox:

• Worsening or new throat or rectal pain
• Severe fever or chills
• Shortness of breath or chest pain

Mpox can be prevented by avoiding close contact with people who have symptoms consistent with mpox, frequent hand-washing, and if at risk, get vaccinated.

To reduce local transmission, prevent severe illness and limit risk to the public, vaccines are available through Public Health Units, some pharmacies and through community partners like Health Initiative for Men (HiM).

A vaccine called IMVAMUNE® protects against mpox and reduces the severity of illness. It can be given:

• Before exposure to help your body build protection
• After exposure to the virus (ideally within 4 days to help prevent infection, or up to 14 days to reduce symptoms)

The vaccine is given as a two-dose series, with doses at least 28 days apart. There is currently no recommendation for a booster after the two-dose series.

People who are eligible can book an appointment for their first or second dose. The vaccine is not available for private purchase.

Who should get the mpox vaccine?

People who are at higher risk of exposure to mpox are eligible to receive the mpox vaccine.

• Two-Spirit, transgender, non-binary people or cisgender males who belong to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men community who:

• Have sex with more than one partner
• Have sex with a partner who has more than one sexual partner
• Had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection in the past year
• Have casual sex (e.g. cruising)
• Engage in sexual contact in sex-on-premises venues
• Have sex with sex workers

• Sexual partners of individuals who meet the above criteria, or
• Sex workers, or
• Staff or volunteers in sex-on-premises venues where workers may have contact with fomites (i.e., surfaces) potentially contaminated with mpox, or
• People who engage in sex tourism
• People who anticipate experiencing any of the above scenariosCanadian health care professionals travelling to support the mpox clade I outbreak in countries where there is a level 2 travel health notice for mpox

The vaccine is also available to those identified as a close contact of a confirmed case.

The vaccine cannot be administered to people who have symptoms that could be due to mpox. Instead, find a location for testing at https://smartsexresource.com/get-tested/clinic-finder 

Where to book an appointment

To book an appointment at select public health unit, call our central booking line:

• Residents of Fraser East (Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope), call 604-702-4906.
• Residents in any other area of Fraser Health, call 604-476-7087.

The following pharmacies also provide mpox vaccination:

• Agassiz: Remedy’s Pharmacy
• 7046 Pioneer Ave, Agassiz
• Hours:
• Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. -6 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Phone: 604-530-9888
• Abbotsford: Shoppers Drug Mart- Sumas Mountain Village
• 2332 Whatcom Rd, Abbotsford
• Hours: 8 a.m. -10 p.m.
• Phone: 604-831-8635
• Chilliwack: Shoppers Drug Mart- Southgate
• 45905 Yale Road, Chilliwack
• 8AM-Midnight
• Phone: 604-792-7377
• Langley: Willoughby IDA Pharmacy
• A110-20161 86th Ave Langley
• Hours:
• Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Phone: 604-371-1114

Resources

• BCCDC - mpox information page
• BCCDC – mpox information for health care providers page
• HealthLink BC – mpox updates
• NACI - Interim Guidance on the use of vaccine for monkeypox