Mpox

UPDATE: August 2024

IF YOU QUALIFY (see below)

Book an Mpox Vaccination at Our Own Health Centre

2-230 Osborne Street, Winnipeg - by Pet Valu at Confusion Corner

What you need to know

If you received two doses of mpox (Monkeypox) vaccine in 2022/23, you are fully vaccinated! No further mpox vaccine boosters are required or recommended.
If you received only one dose, you are eligible for a booster now.

Thanks to the rapid response of Public Health agencies in 2022, and the proactive stance of Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) who got vaccinated, rates of mpox (formerly called Monkeypox) approached zero across North America!

New cases of mpox are now showing up in North America in 2024.

August 2024 Update

  • Cases of mpox continue to be detected Canada, particularly in Ontario.

  • Globally, a new mpox variant has been identified in Africa and the World Health Organization has declared a Public Health Emergency of Concern.

  • As of late August 2024, a few people in Manitoba are being investigated for mpox, and the variant type is not yet known.

  • Because mpox is spread by close contact, people who are having sex are at risk. The risk is highest for anyone with multiple, new, or anonymous sex partners.

  • Mpox is a mild but painful viral illness for most people, and it usually gets better by itself in 2-4 weeks.

  • Mpox can be dangerous for people with weakened immune systems (like uncontrolled HIV), pregnant women,
    and young children.

  • Close contact that can spread mpox:

    • sex, body contact

    • shared bedding, towels, or clothing

    • breathing in the virus
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Symptoms

  • An illness like the flu:

    • Fever

    • Chills

    • Swollen lymph nodes

    • Headache

    • Body pain

    • Exhaustion

  • Painful blisters develop 1-5 days after getting sick

If you have a flu-like illness

  • Isolate yourself from other people until you feel better

  • Don’t have close physical contact

  • Wear a mask

  • Don’t share clothes, towels, or bedding

  • Rest

  • Drink plenty of fluids

  • Take medication for pain and fever

See a doctor if…

  • You develop blisters

  • You’ve been in contact with somebody known or suspected to have mpox.

Vaccination

  • The following individuals are eligible for the mpox vaccine:

    • cisgender, transgender, or two-spirit people who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community and who meet at least one of the following criteria:

      • have received a diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection in the past year;

      • have had two or more sexual partners in the past 90 days;

      • have attended locations for sexual contact (e.g. bath houses or sex clubs) or are planning to;

      • have had anonymous sex in the past 90 days (i.e. using apps, online sites, formal/informal gatherings) or are planning to;

      • engaged in sex work or plan to, as a worker or client; or

    • any sexual contacts of the individuals described above.

    • individuals who self-identify as sex workers, regardless of self-identified sex/gender

    • staff or volunteers in sex-on-premises venues where workers may have contact with objects or materials that may be contaminated with the mpox virus without the use of personal protective equipment

    • individuals who engage in sex tourism regardless of gender, sex assigned at birth, or sexual orientation

    • individuals who anticipate experiencing any of the above scenarios;

    It is recommended, individuals be provided with two doses of vaccine for pre-exposure prophylaxis administered 28 days apart. If it has been more than 28 days since you have received your first dose, you can still obtain your second dose. Two doses of vaccine represent a complete primary series of Imvamune® vaccine.

    The vaccine is available in communities across the province. Preventive immunization for eligible people can be booked by contacting your local public health office, Monday to Friday 830-430. If you need help in identifying your local public health office, contact Health Links — Info Santé (204-788-8200 or toll free at 1-888-315-9257) for support.

    Eligibility for post-exposure prophylaxis:

    People are eligible if they have had high risk close contact with a confirmed or probable mpox case. Even if you have already received a dose of Imvamune® for pre-exposure prophylaxis, you may be eligible for a second dose as post-exposure prophylaxis.

    If you are a close contact of a confirmed or probable mpox case, contact your local public health office or Health Links – Info Santé (204-788-8200 or toll free at 1-888-315-9257).

  • Our Own Health Centre is proud to announce that Manitoba Health and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority have chosen OOHC to be one of three clinics to offer mpox vaccinations this year.

  • OOHC will offer mpox vaccinations by appointment only to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria and have not already received two doses of the mpox vaccine.

  • If you meet the eligibility criteria, please click here to book your mpox vaccination at OOHC online.
    Or call OOHC at 204-691-1600 to book an appointment.

  • Alternatively, people meeting the eligibility criteria for first or second doses of the mpox vaccine may contact their local Public Health Office. A list of Manitoba Public Health Offices can be found here.

  • More information on mpox vaccine can be found in the Mpox vaccine factsheet.

Mpox Prevention Tips

While not considered a sexually transmitted disease, mpox is typically transmitted through close, sustained physical contact. This can include sexual contact.

Vaccination can protect people, but no vaccine is 100% effective. It is important to consider other ways to reduce your risk of exposure, whether or not you have been vaccinated.

To protect yourself and prevent mpox:

  • be aware of any new or unexplained rash or lesion on you or your partner. In some cases, symptoms may be mild, and some people may not even know they have mpox. See your healthcare provider and get tested if you have symptoms;

  • consider limiting the number of people you have close skin-to-skin contact with;

  • minimize the number of sexual partners that you have - recognizing the risk of mpox spread may be higher in settings where anonymous sexual contact with multiple partners occurs;

  • condoms may be protective, and also help prevent other STBBI’s. However, condoms alone may not prevent all exposures to mpox since the rash can occur on other parts of the body.

  • avoid skin-to-skin or face-to-face contact with anyone who has symptoms. Especially avoid touching any rash;

  • clean your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;

  • clean objects and surfaces that have been touched regularly (e.g. door handles, phones, countertops, etc.) with standard household disinfectants;

  • don’t share personal items (e.g. towels, bedding, toothbrushes, sex toys, etc.) with others;

  • wear a mask if you are in close proximity with someone who has symptoms;

  • avoid touching bedding and laundry that has been used by someone who has mpox;

  • stay home if you are sick, and encourage others to do the same; and

  • get vaccinated if you’re eligible Link to MB Health mpox Information and Eligibility