Toronto Public Health urges eligible residents to get vaccinated against mpox as local cases continue to rise
Toronto Public Health urges eligible residents to get vaccinated against mpox as the City continues to report new mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases, with cases increasing in late June and July following major events and festivals in the city. As of July 31, a total of 93 cases has been confirmed in 2024 compared to 21 confirmed cases reported for the same period last year.
While mpox cases have been reported across the city, Toronto Public Health (TPH) recorded a higher concentration of cases in residents in the downtown core.
In response to this spike in reported cases, TPH is working with community partners to increase awareness of the risk of getting mpox, improve access to vaccination and vaccinate eligible residents.
About mpox and how it is spread
The World Health Organization (WHO) says, anyone can get mpox. It spreads from contact with infected:
- persons, through touch, kissing, or sex
- animals, when hunting, skinning, or cooking them
- materials, such as contaminated sheets, clothes or needles
- pregnant persons, who may pass the virus on to their unborn baby.
Mpox is a virus that spreads through contact with infected lesions, skin blisters, body fluids or respiratory secretions. It can also be transmitted by contact with materials contaminated with the virus including clothing or bedding and through bites or scratches from infected animals. Currently, mpox has spread mostly between people who have had close/intimate or sexual contact with a person who has the virus – with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men being most affected.
Travel is not a significant factor among current cases which suggests local community transmission of the virus.
What are the symptoms
Symptoms usually start within six to 13 days after being exposed to mpox but can start anywhere from five to 21 days after exposure. Most people recover from mpox on their own within two to four weeks.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Feeling tired
- Headache
- Backache
- Sore throat and cough
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Rash or sores can appear one to three days after fever, but in some cases, can appear before fever or other symptoms. The rash usually begins as flat red spots (that can look like pimples), which turn into blisters and then form a crust. The rash usually (but not always) starts on the face and then spreads elsewhere on the body. The rash may affect the inner parts of the mouth, tongue and genitals, as well as the palms of hands, soles of the feet and bum areas.
Mpox is diagnosed by a health care provider, based on symptoms and a laboratory test.
More Information:
If you have mpox WHO says:
- Tell anyone you have been close to recently
- Stay at home until all scabs fall off and a new layer of skin forms
- Cover lesions and wear a well-fitting mask when around other people
- Avoid physical contact.
Mpox Vaccination – two doses
Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent further virus spread. TPH reminds at-risk residents to get vaccinated against mpox as the virus continues to spread in Toronto and other areas internationally. TPH recommends two doses of the vaccine to provide the best protection, and that the second dose be taken 28 days after the first dose. For those who have been in contact with the virus, mpox post-exposure prophylaxis is available. If a resident has already received a smallpox vaccine in the past, they should still get vaccinated for mpox as they may not be protected.
To book an appointment at a TPH clinic, or contact your local 2SLGBTQ+ health care service provider.
Eligibility
Eligible Groups for Pre-Exposure Vaccination
- Two-Spirit-, non-binary, transgender, cisgender, intersex, or gender-queer individuals who self-identify or have sexual partners who self-identify as belonging to the gay, bisexual, pansexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) community AND at least one of the following:
a. Had a confirmed sexually transmitted infection (STI) within the last year;
b. Have or are planning to have two or more sexual partners or are in a relationship where at least one of the partners may have other sexual partners;
c. Have attended venues for sexual contact (such as bathhouses and sex clubs) recently or may be planning to, or who work/volunteer in these settings;
d. Have had anonymous sex or may be planning to; and/or
e. Are a sexual contact of an individual who engages in sex work.
2. Individuals who self-identify as engaging in sex work or are planning to, regardless of self-identified sex or gender.
Household and/or sexual contacts of people who are eligible for pre-exposure vaccination listed above AND who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (have a weak immune system) or are pregnant may be at risk for severe illness from a mpox infection. These individuals may be considered for pre-exposure vaccination and should contact a health care provider or Toronto Public Health for more information.
If you already got a smallpox vaccine
If you are eligible to get Imvamune® as pre- or post-exposure vaccination and already got a smallpox vaccine (either an older generation replicating (live) smallpox vaccine or Imvamune®) in the past, you should still get vaccinated for mpox with two doses as you may not be protected.
Eligibility for Post-Exposure Vaccination
- Toronto Public Health will assess the risk of exposure to a person to see if the vaccine is recommended.
- People who have a known exposure/close contact with someone with mpox, or an exposure in a setting where mpox is spreading, should contact Toronto Public Health to find out if the vaccine is recommended to them.
- When the vaccine is used as post-exposure vaccination, it should be given within four days, but can be given up to 14 days after the last exposure.
- Individuals who have had one dose as post-exposure vaccination can get a second dose at least 28 days later.
- People who are under the age of 18 should consult a health care provider before getting their second dose.
If you think you have mpox, isolate right away and contact a health care provider.
The vaccine is not used as a treatment if you already have mpox. At this time, people who have or had mpox are not eligible for the vaccine.
Getting the vaccine at the same time as another vaccine
Imvamune® vaccination can be given on the same day or at any time before or after other vaccines.
For more information including eligibility requirements, visit the City’s mpox webpage.
SOURCE City of Toronto
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