Monkeypox: How it spreads, prevention and risks

On this page

• How monkeypox spreads
• Risk of getting monkeypox
• Preventing the spread of monkeypox

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
• throat
• mouth
• anus
• rectum
• genitals

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.

Learn more about:

• Monkeypox: Symptoms, getting tested, what to do if you're infected or were exposed

Contaminated objects

You could also become infected by coming into direct contact with personal items used by an infected person, including:

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

Animal to human

Animals don’t currently play a role in the spread of monkeypox in Canada.

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

There was also a monkeypox 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

Learn more about:

• Monkeypox and animals

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.

Provincial, territorial and local health authorities are continuing to monitor for and investigate cases of monkeypox in Canada as the situation evolves. The Public Health Agency of Canada updates this information as it becomes available.

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

Learn more about:

• Surface disinfectants for emerging viral pathogens

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
• having fewer sexual partners, particularly those who are anonymous, even when they don't have symptoms

If you think you may have been infected with the monkeypox virus, learn more about:

• Symptoms of monkeypox infection
• Getting tested for monkeypox infection
• Care and treatment if you have been diagnosed with monkeypox infection

Community settings

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

• assess the risks associated with monkeypox spread, and
• put in place appropriate measures to reduce the risk of monkeypox spreading within your setting

Learn more about:

• How operators can reduce the risk of spread of monkeypox in community settings

Related links

• World Health Organization: Monkeypox fact sheet