Monkeypox virus (strain Zaire 77-0666) Callithrix jacchus orthopoxvirus
MPXV (Monkeypox) is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), the respiratory tract or the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Confirmed cases in BC: 32 (July 18, 2022)
Health authorities with cases: (British Columbia)
Vancouver Coastal Health
Vancouver Island Health Authority
- MPXV can spread from animals to humans, from person to person and through contaminated objects.
- MPXV is mostly spread through contact with sores or blisters.
- It can also be transmitted through items like bedding or towels that have monkeypox virus or respiratory droplets such as coughs and sneezes during close, face-to-face contact with a person who has monkeypox.
- Monkeypox is not known to be a sexually transmitted infection, like syphilis or HIV, but sexual activities often include close contact.
MPXV Vaccinations Island Health
Island Health is starting a targeted vaccination campaign for those currently at highest risk of acquiring and spreading monkeypox.
As supply is limited, please only book an appointment if you meet the following criteria:
- You are at least 18 years old and transgender, or self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men community, and answer yes to any of the following:
- Have received a diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea and/or syphilis in the past 2 months;
- Have had 2 or more sexual partners within the past 21 days;
- Have attended venues or other locations for sexual contact within the past 21 days (e.g., bath houses, sex clubs, park play) or may be planning to;
- Have had anonymous sex in the past 21 days (e.g., using apps, online sites, formal/informal gatherings) or may be planning to;
- Engage in sex work or may be planning to, either as a worker or a client.
All eligible individuals are encouraged to book an appointment; MSP is not required. . At this time, the vaccine is not available for the general public unless someone is identified as a close contact by Public Health.
Book an Appointment
Island Health Monkeypox Vaccine Appointment Booking https://waitwhile.com/welcome/mpclinics
Vaccination clinics do not accept drop-ins.
If no appointments are available, please try again later.
Appointments will be added as vaccine supply is received.
(In Victoria) Appointments are available Starting on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 and Wednesday, July 20, 2022 in Victoria. Signage will be outside the clinic to direct people for check-in. Availability will be expanded to Central and North Island the week of July 25.
More information on MPX and to find out if you qualify for vaccination visit:
https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/diseases-conditions/monkeypox
If you become ill
Contact a healthcare provider to get tested as soon as possible. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had contact with a person with known or suspected monkeypox.
Find a clinic.
Until you see a healthcare provider:
– Avoid close, intimate contact and sex with others
– It is especially important to avoid close contact with people who may be at greater risk of experiencing severe illness including pregnant people, people with a weakened immune system or children.
– Do not share towels, clothing, sheets or other things that have touched your skin.
– Cover any sores or blisters as much as possible with clothing or bandages.
– Wear a mask when you are in close contact with others.
If possible, have another member of your household care for your animals/pets so you do not spread monkeypox to animals. If you need to care for your animals during your illness, take the same precautions that you use to protect other people.
Dispose masks, bandages, or other contaminated materials in a high quality garbage bag and keep in an animal-proof receptacle to prevent access by pets or wild animals (particularly rodents).
If monkeypox is confirmed, public health will contact you to give more instructions. Monkeypox is usually a mild illness and most people recover on their own after a few weeks.
There are no well-established treatments for monkeypox. Antiviral medication may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
This guide is written for people who get mpox, because some people will get mpox.
There’s a lot we don’t know (that nobody knows yet) – but for those of us who are actually having to deal with mpox, we have to make the best decisions we can whether we have all the ‘evidence’/information or not.
