What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare viral disease caused by a virus usually found to be endemic in Central and Western Africa. Since May 2022, there have been cases of monkeypox in several countries where the disease is not normally found, including Canada. Ottawa Public Health announced the first confirmed case of monkeypox in Ottawa on June 17, 2022. The virus enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or the mucous membranes, like the eyes, nose, or mouth. Monkeypox symptoms typically last from 2 to 4 weeks. In some cases, people can develop health complications from monkeypox which can lead to severe outcomes. Safe and effective vaccination along with prevention measures such as practicing safe sex, limiting the number of sexual partners, isolation when having symptoms, and avoiding sharing objects with an infected person will limit the spread of 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. The monkeypox virus can affect anyone who is in close contact with an infected person such as direct contact with their body fluids, respiratory droplets, sores or by coming into contact with items they may have been in contact with. 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. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) the risk of infection is low for the general population.
What is Ottawa Public Health’s role?
Ottawa Public Health will follow up with and provide guidance and self-isolation instructions to those who are confirmed to have monkeypox and any possible contacts. Ottawa Public Health continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health and Public Health Ontario, local infectious disease experts and health care providers to limit the spread of monkeypox in the community.
Symptoms and prevention
Commons signs and symptoms |
The incubation period (time between exposure/ infection and when symptoms begin) is typically six to 13 days, and can be up to 21 days. Monkeypox infection can appear similar to other infectious diseases, such as chickenpox, or several sexually transmitted infections (such as herpes or gonorrhea). This is why it's important to consult a health care provider and be tested. If you think that you may have the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, and or are a close contact of someone who has confirmed monkeypox, please contact your health care provider for an assessment as soon as possible. Limit your contact with others and self-isolate. Most transmission of monkeypox in Canada has occurred between close contacts like intimate partners or household members. |
Think you may have been exposed to monkeypox? |
If you think you may have come in contact with someone who has symptoms of monkeypox, you should monitor yourself for symptoms for 21 days and contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 for further assessment to see if post exposure prophylaxis, or vaccination, is recommended. If no symptoms appear after 21 days, you can continue with normal activities. If symptoms develop, you should self-isolate immediately and contact your healthcare provider. |
What to do if you have been tested for monkeypox |
If you have been tested for monkeypox, it is important to self-isolate at home until you receive negative test results. Ottawa Public Health will follow up with you if your test result is positive and advise on next steps. If you test positive for monkeypox you should self-isolate at home until lesion scabs have fallen off and new intact skin has formed below. This recovery period typically takes two to four weeks. If you have been tested for monkeypox or are experiencing symptoms you should:
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How to prevent the spread of monkeypox |
To lower your overall risk of getting infected with and spreading the monkeypox virus, we recommend to:
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Vaccination
⚠ Please verify that you are eligible for the vaccine before booking a monkeypox vaccine
What is the monkeypox vaccine (Imvamune®)? |
Imvamune® is a vaccine that helps protect against monkeypox infection. Imvamune® is a live, non-replicating vaccine. The vaccine contains a very weakened form of a virus similar to the one that causes monkeypox and cannot make you sick. When a person is given the vaccine, the immune system will produce its own protection in the form of antibodies against the virus. |
Who is eligible for the Imvamune® monkeypox vaccine |
At this time, one dose of the monkeypox vaccine (Imvamune®) can be given to eligible persons as per the Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines. A single dose is expected to provide reasonable protection by 2-4 weeks following vaccination. A second dose produces slightly higher response and may provide longer-lasting protection. Monitor for changes to the Ontario Ministry of Health recommendations and eligibility and register for a second dose if you become eligible. Imvamune® can be used to protect individuals before an exposure to the monkeypox virus (this is called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP) or to protect individuals after being exposed to the monkeypox virus (this is called Post-Exposure Prophylaxis or PEP). Imvamune® vaccine eligibility for protection before an exposure to the monkeypox virusBased on the Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, the following groups are eligible for an Imvamune® vaccine for protection before an exposure to monkeypox if they meet one of the following criteria : a) Two-spirited, non-binary, trans- or cis-gender individuals who self-identify or have sexual partners who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community AND at least one of the following:
b) Any individual who engages in sex work or may be planning to. Imvamune® vaccine eligibility after being exposed to the monkeypox virusBased on the Ontario Ministry of Health guidelines, individuals who have been identified by their local public health unit as having a high or intermediate-risk exposure with someone who has the monkeypox virus are eligible to receive Imvamune®. These individuals will be contacted directly by their local public health unit. |
Book a vaccine and view clinic locations |
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) vaccine for monkeypox⚠ Please verify that you are eligible for the vaccine before booking a monkeypox vaccineBook an appointment online
Clinic locations:
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Who should not receive the Imvamune® monkeypox vaccine? |
Anyone who does not meet the current eligibility criteria outlined by the Ontario Ministry of Health is not eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine. People with signs and symptoms of Monkeypox infection should NOT receive the Imvamune monkeypox vaccine as it is not intended for the treatment of Monkeypox. Do not attend an Imvamune clinic if you have symptoms. People who have a confirmed allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients or its container are not eligible for the monkeypox vaccine. Ingredients of the Imvamune® vaccine are:
Imvamune® may also contain trace amounts of:
If you have an allergy to eggs, gentamicin or ciprofloxacin, or an antibiotic in the same class as gentamicin (aminoglycosides) or ciprofloxacin (quinolones), please call 613-580-6744 for more information about eligibility for Imvamune®. For Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, it is currently recommended that people wait at least four weeks after receiving a live vaccine and at least two weeks after receiving an inactivated vaccine before receiving the monkeypox vaccine. |
How can I access the Imvamune® monkeypox vaccine if I am eligible? |
If you have been identified as a high risk contact or an intermediate risk contact of a confirmed or probable case of monkeypox, you will be contacted by Ottawa Public Health directly and may be offered an appointment to receive the monkeypox vaccine for Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). If you are eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), Ottawa Public Health may contact you directly to offer an appointment, or you can use the online appointment booking page or call 613-580-6744 to book an appointment to receive the monkeypox vaccine.
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What should I expect after I receive the vaccine? |
Side effects may develop in the few days after receiving the vaccine. Although most of these side effects are not serious to your health, they may make you feel unwell for a few days. The side effects should go away on their own. Common side effects of Imvamune® include pain, swelling, redness and itchiness at the injection site where the needle was given. Applying a cool, damp cloth where the vaccine was given may help with pain and swelling. Other common side effects can include fatigue, headache, body aches, nausea, loss of appetite, joint pain, chills and fever. If needed, pain or fever medication (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) may help. People who have atopic dermatitis (eczema) may experience more side effects than others and may also experience a flare-up or worsening of their condition. If you develop any serious signs or symptoms that could be an allergic reaction within four hours of being vaccinated, call 9-1-1 right away. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
You should also seek medical attention right away if you develop any symptoms that could be related to your heart such as chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, and a fast or irregular heartbeat. If you have concerns about the symptoms you develop after receiving the vaccine, contact your healthcare provider. Any adverse events following vaccination should be reported to your local public health unit. |
Is the vaccine safe and effective? |
Yes, Imvamune® is safe to receive. At this time, Ontario is using a single dose approach for Imvamune®. A single dose is expected to provide reasonable protection by 2 to 4 weeks following vaccination. A second dose produces a slightly higher response and may provide longer-lasting protection. Monitor for changes to the Ontario Ministry of Health recommendations and eligibility and return for a second dose if you become eligible. If you received another vaccination in the past 4 weeks, please let your health care provider know before getting Imvamune®. If you are less than 18 years of age, pregnant, breastfeeding, or are immunocompromised you should speak to your health care provider. Your health care provider will review the risks and benefits of receiving the monkeypox vaccine. |
Monkeypox cases in Ottawa
If you want to know more about the numbers of confirmed, suspect or probable cases, you can visit the Public Health Ontario page (updated Tuesdays and Fridays).
Background information
- Monkeypox: Outbreak update (Government of Canada)
- Monkeypox: Questions and answers (World Health Organization)
- About Monkeypox (USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Monkeypox virus overview: including transmission and clinical signs / symptoms (Ontario Ministry of Health)
- Memo on monkeypox (PDF): discusses clinical considerations including etiology, transmission, signs / symptoms, testing, case and contact management, and IPAC precautions (Ontario Ministry of Health)
- Monkeypox detailed fact sheet : Provides an overview of the virus, transmission, epidemiology, clinical considerations including treatment, case and contact management, and prevention (World Health Organization)
- Monkeypox: What we know (Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance)
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