Mpox (monkeypox): How it spreads, prevention and risks

How mpox (monkeypox) spreads

Current evidence suggests that mpox (monkeypox) spreads in 3 ways:

From person-to-person
From animals to humans
Through direct contact with contaminated objects

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 transmission without symptoms

Person-to-person

Mpox can spread from person to person through contact with lesions or scabs of a person with mpox. These lesions or scabs may be found on the skin or mucosal surfaces, such as:

eyes
anus
throat
mouth
rectum
genitals

It can also spread through contact with body fluids of a person with mpox, such as:

blood
saliva
semen

You can be exposed to mpox in different situations, such as:

when providing care at home
when living in the same household
during sexual contact, including oral and non-penetrative contact

The virus may spread through respiratory particles, such as from:

talking
breathing
coughing or sneezing
exposure during close contact

However, based on the current evidence, the role respiratory particles play in transmission is unknown. We're working with international partners to improve our understanding of the ways the virus could be transmitted.

We don't know yet if a person with mpox can spread the virus to others before their symptoms develop.

If you're pregnant, there's a chance you could pass on the virus to your fetus through the placenta.

Mpox (monkeypox): Symptoms, getting tested, what to do if you have monkeypox or were exposed

Contaminated objects

You can also get mpox by coming into direct contact with personal items a person with mpox uses, including:

towels
clothing
bedding
other shared objects, for example:
- razors
- utensils
- needles
- sex toys
- toothbrushes

Learn more about:

Animal to human

Animals don't currently play a role in the spread of mpox in Canada.

However, transmission to people from wild rodents and monkeys has been reported in West and Central Africa.

There was also an mpox outbreak in the US in 2003 after infected small mammals from Africa were imported there for the pet trade. They infected pet prairie dogs that they were housed with, which led to an outbreak of 47 human cases.

Activities that may have spread the virus from infected animals to people in these situations include:

eating undercooked game meat
hunting and processing animals for consumption
exposure to body fluids, such as when cleaning up
touching or handling live or dead animals, especially if there were bites or scratches while handling

Mpox (monkeypox) and animals

Risk of getting mpox (monkeypox)

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

sex
race
gender
sexual orientation

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

Person-to-person transmission is currently happening in Canada. Most cases in Canada so far are in people with multiple sexual partners, particularly men who have reported sexual contact with other men. This is in line with international trends. 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.

Provincial, territorial and local health authorities continue to monitor for and investigate cases of mpox in Canada as the situation evolves. We update this information as it becomes available.

Preventing the spread of mpox (monkeypox)

You can help lower your risk of getting 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 has mpox
maintaining good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, including:
- wearing a well-fitting mask or
- covering coughs and sneezes with the bend of your arm
cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces and objects in your home, especially after having visitors

To lower your overall risk of getting and spreading the monkeypox virus, we recommend:

having fewer sexual partners
using barrier protection during sexual activity, including:
- condoms
- dental dams
- gloves
- clothing

Learn more about:

Community settings

If you operate a non-health care community setting that the public can access, you should:

assess the risks associated with mpox spreading
put appropriate measures in place to reduce the risk of mpox spreading in your setting

How operators can reduce the risk of spread of mpox (monkeypox) in community settings

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