How monkeypox spreads

Current evidence suggests that monkeypox spreads in 3 ways:

• from person to person

• through direct contact with contaminated objects

• from animals to humans

Health authorities across Canada and internationally are monitoring this situation as it evolves. We're still collecting information about how the virus spreads at this time, including looking into:

• atypical infection presentations

• different modes of transmission

• the possibility of asymptomatic transmission

Person to person

Monkeypox can spread from person to person through contact with an infected person's lesions or scabs that may be found on the skin or mucosal surfaces (such as eyes, mouth, throat, genitalia, anus, or rectum).

It may also be possible for it to spread through contact with an infected person's body fluids such as blood, saliva, and semen.

For example:

• during sexual contact, including oral and non-penetrative contact

• when providing care

• when living in the same household

The virus may spread through respiratory particles, such as from talking, breathing, coughing or sneezing, during close contact. But we're still gathering information on that mode of transmission.

We don't know yet if an infected person with no symptoms can spread the virus to others.

An infected pregnant person may also pass on the virus to their developing fetus through the placenta.

Contaminated objects

Animal to human

Risk of getting monkeypox

Anyone can get infected and spread monkeypox if they come into close contact with someone who has the virus, regardless of:

• sex

• race

• gender or

• sexual orientation

Since May 2022, there have been cases of monkeypox in several countries where the disease is not normally found, including Canada.

Currently, person to person transmission is occurring in Canada. In line with international trends, the majority of cases in Canada to date are men who reported intimate sexual contact with other men. However, it's important to stress that the risk of exposure to the monkeypox virus is not exclusive to any group or setting.

Having multiple sexual partners may increase your overall risk of infection.

Preventing the spread of monkeypox

You can help reduce your  risk of becoming infected with or spreading the monkeypox virus 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 the monkeypox virus

• maintaining good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, including:

• covering coughs and sneezes with the bend of your arm or

• wearing a well-fitting mask

• cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces and objects in your home, especially after having visitors

To lower your overall risk of getting infected with and spreading the monkeypox virus or sexually transmitted infections, we recommend:

• using condoms

• practising safe sex and