Mpox

Mpox is a disease caused by the mpox virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or the mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, nose, or mouth).

Current situation

For information on the situation in Canada, refer to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador currently has two probable cases of mpox.

Prevention

Mpox is spread through close contact with an infected individual, such as coming into contact with their body fluids, mucus from the nose, saliva, or sores. Mpox can also be spread by sharing clothing, bedding or common items that have been contaminated with the infected person’s fluids or sores.

You can prevent spread of mpox by:

  • staying home and limiting contact with others if you have symptoms, or as recommended by your health care provider
  • avoiding close physical contact, including sexual contact, with someone who is infected with or may have been exposed to mpox
  • maintaining good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, including:
    • covering coughs and sneezes with the bend of your arm; and
    • wearing a well-fitting mask
  • cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces and objects in your home, especially after having visitors

Signs and symptoms

Mpox is usually a mild illness and most people recover on their own after a few weeks. In rare situations people may become very sick, resulting in hospitalization and/or death.

People usually develop symptoms 5 to 21 days after being infected with the mpox virus. Symptoms usually occur in 2 stages and typically last from 2 to 4 weeks. In some cases, the rash can occur before other symptoms.

In stage 1, symptoms may include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain
  • Back pain
  • Exhaustion

In stage 2 of the illness, a rash typically develops – usually within 1 to 3 days (sometimes longer) after the fever starts. The rash often starts on the face, arms, and/or legs, but can affect other parts of the body, such as the hands, feet, mouth and genitals.

The rash usually lasts between 14 to 28 days and changes through different stages before finally forming a scab which later falls off.

You can spread the mpox virus from the first day of symptoms until the scabs have fallen off on their own and the skin is healed.

When to seek help

Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms of mpox and/or if you have had contact with a person with known or suspected mpox.

Vaccination against mpox

If you are identified as a contact of someone that has mpox, a public health official may offer a vaccine called Imvamune. Imvamune can provide protection against smallpox viruses, including mpox. A public health official will discuss the use of Imvamune with you.

The virus can affect anyone through close person-to-person contact regardless of age, sex, gender or sexual orientation. To date, mpox has disproportionately affected some members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Given the epidemiology of the outbreak in Canada, and following the lead of other jurisdictions in the country, starting Monday, August 22 Newfoundland and Labrador will be offering the Imvamune vaccine to:

  • Two-spirit people, transgender people, and cisgender males who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual, queer, and men who have sex with men community, and meet at least one of the following criteria:
    • Have had sex with two or more partners in the last 90 days, or are planning to do so;
    • Have received a diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection in the last six months;
    • Have attended, worked, or volunteered in venues or other locations for sexual contact within the past 90 days or may be planning to do so, whether in or outside of the province
  • The vaccine will also be offered to sexual contacts of individuals in the above  eligibility groups, as well as to people who engage in, or plan to engage in, sex work.

Preventative immunization for eligible people can be booked through Public Health Offices in the Regional Health Authorities. Please refer to the links below:

Central Health

Eastern Health

Labrador-Grenfell Health

Western Health

Resources

For health professionals