Translated information about monkeypox: عربى (Arabic) | 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese) | 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese) |  فارسی (Farsi) | Français (French)  | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) | 한국어 (Korean) |  Español (Spanish) | Українська (Ukrainian) | Русский (Russian) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

A case of monkeypox has been confirmed in B.C. through laboratory testing at the BC Centre for Disease Control and awaiting confirmation at the National Microbiology Laboratory. The individual resides in Vancouver. Vancouver Coastal Health is conducting public health follow-up.

More than 700 cases of monkeypox infection have been found in non-endemic countries since May 2022, with the majority identified in Europe. Infections caused by a West African clade have also been diagnosed in Canada and the United States. This clade tends to cause mild disease. While most, but not all, recent global infections are among young men who identify as men who have sex with other men, the virus can affect anyone through close person-to-person contact.

Monkeypox is spread from person to person through contact with sores and items like bedding or towels that have monkeypox virus on them. It can also spread through respiratory droplets such as coughs and sneezes during prolonged close, face-to-face contact with a person who has monkeypox.

While the virus is not known to transmit through semen, vaginal or rectal fluids, it does spread through close contact during sexual activity. 

There is a vaccine available in Canada that provides protection against the monkeypox virus. It can be used to manage spread of monkeypox and prevent serious illness in people who have been exposed. For every case, public health teams will assess if vaccination is appropriate for close contacts. Vaccine does not have benefit for those who are already infected.

The risk of monkeypox to the general public is very low. There is no need for the general public to get vaccinated.

People who have been exposed should monitor for symptoms. Symptoms of monkeypox can present from 5-21 days after exposure. If you develop symptoms, visit a health care professional.  Wear a mask and cover the lesions, and inform the clinic ahead of time of the reason for  your visit. Limit close contact, including sexual contact with others.

Learn more about monkeypox at www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/monkeypox

The BC Centre for Disease Control, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides public health leadership through surveillance, detection, treatment, prevention and consultation services. The Centre provides diagnostic and treatment services for people with diseases of public health importance, and analytical and policy support to all levels of government and health authorities. The BCCDC also provides health promotion and prevention services to reduce the burden of chronic disease, preventable injury and environmental health risks. For more, visit www.bccdc.ca  or follow us on Twitter @CDCofBC.

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) provides specialized health care services and programs to communities across British Columbia, the territories of many distinct First Nations. We are grateful to all the First Nations who have cared for and nurtured this land for all time, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and səlil̓w̓ətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations on whose unceded and ancestral territory our head office is located. We work in partnership with other B.C. health authorities and the provincial government to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit www.phsa.ca or follow us @PHSAofBC.

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