Mpox

FAQs

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus.  It can spread between people, mainly through close contact.

Mpox was first declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on July 23, 2022 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The second PHEIC was declared by the WHO on August 14, 2024 due to clade Ib following the declaration of Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on August 13, 2024.

A PHEIC is the highest level of global alert recognising the potential threat a virus poses to countries around the world. It is defined in the International Health Regulations (IHR - 2005) as, “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response”.

Anytime a disease is declared a PHEIC, there is a cause for concern. However, as of September 23, 2024, no cases of clade Ib mpox have been reported in the Caribbean and its neighbouring countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Latin America. In addition, there is a limited number of travellers and no direct commercial flights from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), or its neighbouring countries to the Caribbean. In light of this, the current risk from mpox clade 1b to the Caribbean population is low to moderate. This risk may change as more information becomes available, and if more cases are identified outside of Africa.

Common symptoms of mpox include: An unexplained rash which may last for 2–4 weeks. skin rash with blisters, spots or ulcers that can appear on any part of the body. This may start with, or be followed by fever, headaches, backache, muscle aches, low energy and swollen glands.

Mpox is spread from person to person, mainly through close contact with someone who has mpox. It can be transmitted through contact with bodily fluids such as touching, kissing or sex, lesions on the skin or on internal mucosal surfaces, such as in the mouth or throat, respiratory droplets and contaminated objects.

Close contact includes skin-to-skin (such as touching or sex) and mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-skin contact (such as kissing). It can also include being face-to-face with someone who has mpox (such as talking or breathing close to one another, which can generate infectious respiratory particles).

Mpox can also be contracted by coming in contact with contaminated objects (including linens and clothing) or through needles (for example via a needlestick injury in a health care setting or from tattoo parlours)

Pregnant mothers may also pass the virus onto their baby during gestation or birth.

Animal-to-human transmission of mpox may also occur when an infected animal bites or scratches a human. Additional interactions with animals that may increase the risk of infection include trapping, hunting, skinning or touching carcasses or eating undercooked meat from infected animals.

People who have close contact with someone who has mpox are at risk of infection. Close contact includes skin-to-skin (such as touching or sex) and mouth-to-mouth, or mouth-to-skin contact (such as kissing), and can also include being face-to-face with someone who has mpox (such as talking or breathing close to one another, which can generate infectious respiratory particles).

The risk of mpox is not limited to people who are sexually active or gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. Anyone who has close contact with someone who has symptoms is at risk and any person with multiple or new sexual partners is also at risk. Sex workers and their clients are also at risk.

Newborn babies, children, people who are pregnant and people with underlying immune deficiencies such as from advanced HIV disease may be at higher risk of more serious mpox disease and death.

People who have contact with clothing, bedding, towels, objects, electronics and other surfaces that have been touched by someone with mpox are also at risk.

Health workers should follow infection prevention and control measures to protect themselves while caring for patients with mpox (by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and adhering to protocol for safely swabbing lesions for diagnostic testing and handling sharps such as needles).

To protect yourself and others against mpox, know the signs and symptoms, how the virus spreads, what to do if you get ill, and the risk in your area or community.

Be on the alert for any unusual rashes or lesions on the genitals or other parts of the body
Practice sound personal hygienic measures, such as washing hands
Avoid close contact with people who are sick with signs and symptoms of mpox
Avoid contact with wild animals (alive or dead) in areas where mpox regularly occur
Avoid contact with contaminated materials used by people who are sick (such as clothing, bedding, or materials used in healthcare settings) or known to have had contact with wild animals.
Avoid close contact with anyone who has mpox, including sexual contact.
Clean your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
If you think you might have mpox, you can act to protect others by seeking medical advice and isolating from others until you have been evaluated and tested.

Many years of research on treatments for smallpox have led to the development of products that may also be useful for treating mpox. Experience with these therapeutics in the context of an outbreak of mpox is growing but still limited.

Yes. There are vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use against mpox. Many years of research have led to the development of newer and safer vaccines for smallpox, which has been eradicated. Some of these vaccines have been approved in various countries for use against mpox.

Only people who are at risk (for example, someone who has been a close contact of someone who has mpox, or someone who belongs to a group at high risk of exposure to mpox) should be considered for vaccination. Mass vaccination is not currently recommended. Travellers who may be at risk based on an individual risk assessment with their health care provider may wish to consider vaccination.