Monkeypox – British Columbia Centre for Disease Control

Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It spreads through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact.

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Cases as of November 17, 2022

Confirmed cases in BC: 183Health authorities with cases:

Epidemiologicaldata are summarized to provide an understanding of the population(s) affected by monkeypox transmission and potential exposures to support the response.

B.C. is working closely with federal and provincial partners to stop the spread of monkeypox.

While most, but not all, recent global infections are among men who identify as gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with other men, the virus can affect anyone through close person-to-person contact. Most cases in the current outbreak have occurred from close, intimate contact during sex. The risk to the general population in B.C. is considered low.

We will update this information as we learn more about the current outbreak.

Monkeypox can spread from animals to humans, from person to person and through contact with objects that have been used by someone with monkeypox.

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

Most cases in the current outbreak have been passed from person to person during close, intimate contact during sex.

Monkeypox can present in different ways. Most people experience symptoms thatlast 2 to 4 weeks and occur in two stages.

In the first stage, symptoms can include:

The second stage usually starts 1 to 5 days after the first stage.

In the second stage, a rash (sores/blisters) develops.

Some people experience symptoms differently. For example:

some may experience first stage symptoms after the appearance of sores

some can have a small number of sores on one or a few body parts, sometimes only in the mouth or genital areas.

Image credit: United Kingdom

Public health is reaching out to known contacts of the cases at risk of developing the infection.

Please note: Public health does not use pre-recorded or automated calls to notify individuals of infections or possibleexposure to monkeypox or other communicable diseases. If you receive one of these scam calls, do not engage and do notprovide personal information over the phone.

If monkeypox is confirmed, public health will contact you to give more instructions. Monkeypox is usually a mild illness and most people recover on their own after a few weeks. However, some people may experience moderate or severe disease, and will need to see their healthcare provider. 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 healthcare provider or go to your nearest Urgent Primary Care Centre or Emergency Department if you experience the following after testing positive for monkeypox:

There are no well-established treatments for monkeypox. Antiviral medication may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A supply of vaccine that protects against monkeypox has been made available to BC by the federal government and vaccination has been offered to at-risk populations since June 2022. The vaccine, called IMVAMUNE, is given in a series of two doses given 28 or more days apart. It can be given following a recognized exposure to infection (ideally within 4 days) to provide protection against monkeypox, or can be given in advance of an exposure. It helps your body build immunity.

People who are eligible can now book first or second dose appointments.

Eligibility for the vaccine in BC has been guided by information about people who have acquired this infection. Should the characteristics of these people change as transmission continues to occur, the eligibility may be adjusted accordingly.

Use of this vaccine to control the outbreak of monkeypox in BC has been successful in bringing cases to a low number. As of October 2022, small numbers of infections continue to occur each week among unvaccinated eligible individuals which is why they continue to be encouraged to get vaccinated.

The vaccine can be used two ways

Two-Spirit and transgender people andcisgender males whoself-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men community.

The vaccine is not available to individuals of any gender who are not part of the community of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex men, unless they have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case.

Misidentifying oneself as eligible for monkeypox vaccine directs this critical tool away from people most at risk, and limits its utility in preventing onward transmission, and from protecting the wider population from a bigger outbreak.

Due to limited supply, this vaccine is intended for residents of Canada or those visiting B.C. for prolonged periods of time. People from outside Canada should not travel to B.C.vaccine clinics for immunization; we cannot provide the vaccine to those visiting the province for the purpose of being vaccinated. Please contact your local Public Health unit for information about receiving monkeypox vaccine.

Imvamune is given in a series of two doses. You must wait at least 28 days after your first dose to get your second dose.

Subcutaneous or intradermal injection

To ensure there is enough vaccine to offer second doses to all who are eligible, a second dose will be offered one of two ways: subcutaneous injection or intradermal injection.

To learn more about vaccinations, eligibility criteriaand to book an appointment, refer toyour region:

Appointments are added regularly. If there are no available appointments, please check back.

This document provides suggestions for event organizers, business owners, community organizations and leaders to help prevent spread as people gather to celebrate during the Pride festival season. It includes information about:

Learn more: Monkeypox Guidance for Events during Pride Festival Season

Most of the recent monkeypox cases are happening through close contacts between men who identify as having sex with other men.

Stigmatizing people because of a disease is never okay. Anyone can get or pass on monkeypox, regardless of their sexuality.

Be aware of the monkeypox situation in the places you visit and take the same precautions you would use at home. Some people have been exposed or got monkeypox from close contact during sexual activity while travelling.

Domestic travel

International travel

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Monkeypox - British Columbia Centre for Disease Control