Monkeypox 101: how it spreads, the symptoms and prevention | news

Although cases of Canadian monkeypox first surfaced in May, it’s still not a disease that many people are familiar with.

Since then, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the monkeypox outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern”.

Last Thursday, the Biden administration followed suit, declaring the disease a U.S. public health emergency amid rising cases.

While the US has over 7,100 probable or confirmed cases of monkeypox, Canada is still in the thousands with 957 confirmed cases, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

But that doesn’t mean those numbers can’t go up.

Here’s everything you should know about monkeypox: how it spreads, the symptoms, how to protect yourself and what to do if you do get it.

What is monkeypox?

According to the WHO, monkeypox is a zoonosis, a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

The disease is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which, according to lead epidemiologist Susanne Gulliver, belongs to the orthopoxvirus family.

“It’s in the same family as smallpox, cowpox and camelpox,” Gulliver, who works at NewLab Clinical Research in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, told Daily Hive. “They are all different types of smallpox with varying degrees of severity and are more or less communicable than others.”

She adds that these viruses aren’t necessarily named after the animal that transmits the virus, but after the animal in which they were first identified.

“So monkeys don’t necessarily spread monkeypox, it’s just that they were first identified in a shipment of laboratory monkeys,” Gulliver explained.

Monkeypox is most similar to smallpox, but fortunately its symptoms are less severe.

How contagious is monkeypox and how is it spread?

Though monkeypox isn’t as transmissible as smallpox, Gulliver says it’s still quite contagious.

According to PHAC, the virus spreads in three ways:

• from human to human
• through direct contact with contaminated objects
• from animal to human

Human-to-human transmission can occur through contact with the lesions or scabs of an infected person. These can be found on the skin, eyes, mouth, throat and genitals.

It can also spread through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, and semen.

This TikTok user describes where he contracted the virus.

@tonanty Replying to @user515029210 #monkeypox #lgbt #lagays #pandemic #grindr ♬ Original sound – Tanilraif

While the virus can certainly be transmitted through sexual contact, Gulliver stresses that it’s not the only way it spreads.

“It’s through casual contact,” she explained. “It passed fairly easily. If someone is born with open wounds, then that can be transmitted very easily.”

Similar to COVID-19, monkeypox can spread through respiratory droplets when speaking, breathing, coughing, or sneezing with close contact. PHAC collects other information about this form of transmission.

Monkeypox can also spread through direct contact with objects that have been contaminated by an infected person. Contaminated clothing, bedding, towels, razors, paraphernalia, needles, sex toys, and toothbrushes can infect you with the virus.

You are least likely to get monkeypox from an animal, as most infected animals are found in Central and West Africa, according to the WHO. These include rats, squirrels and monkeys.

What are the symptoms and when do they appear?

According to Gulliver, most of the symptoms are actually similar to those of COVID-19 — fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.

The main difference is swollen lymph nodes, small structures found throughout the body that are part of the immune system.

“The swollen lymph nodes are a precursor to the pockmarks,” she explained.

These pockmarks — also known as lesions or rashes — can be painful and affect any part of the body, including the mouth, genitals, face, arms, legs, feet, and hands.

When these symptoms become noticeable in an infected person, the virus has a longer incubation period compared to COVID-19, according to the PHAC.

“People typically develop symptoms five to 21 days after exposure to the monkeypox virus,” the agency explains.

After that, the illness usually lasts two to four weeks. According to the PHAC, the rashes typically last between 14 and 28 days and go through various stages before forming into scabs and falling off.

Who is at risk of getting monkeypox?

“Everyone is equally at risk when traveling the world,” Gulliver said.

And PHAC says the same.

Anyone can contract and spread monkeypox through close contact with an infected person, regardless of gender, race, gender, or sexual orientation.

While PHAC says the majority of cases in Canada so far are in “men who have reported intimate sexual contact with other men,” the agency emphasizes that the risk of contracting the virus is not solely related to LGTBQ is reserved for the community.

In a Vox interview with Joseph Osmundson, a queer health advocate and clinical assistant professor of biology at New York University, they highlight the harmfulness of labeling monkeypox a “gay disease” and the inadequate federal response with it that coincides with the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Gulliver adds that more cases may be popping up in the LGBTQ community due to their over-vigilance.

“There’s always been a higher rate of STD testing with ‘Something’s wrong, I’m going to the doctor,'” she said. “They’ve been through a terrible epidemic that’s been ignored for years…that’s why they’re being tested more often and asking more questions.”

“Most things are being discovered more and more in this community because they are so vigilant about their health care,” she added.

How can you protect yourself from monkeypox?

Gulliver says the same health measures we practice for COVID-19 also help prevent exposure to monkeypox.

These include washing hands, wearing masks and limiting contact with large groups of people.

Because the virus can spread through direct contact with a contaminated object, more specific measures like not sharing bedding or trying on clothes can also prevent exposure to monkeypox, according to Gulliver.

PHAC also advises people to clean and disinfect “touched surfaces” and objects in your home, especially after visiting.

The agency adds that practicing safer sex and having fewer sexual partners is also strongly encouraged.

4/4 like #monkeypox spreads through close contact, multiple sexual partners (especially anonymous) can increase the risk of infection. #GoodHabits To reduce risks include: practicing safe sex, staying home/staying away from others if you have symptoms, etc.: https://t.co/QXqtugZ9XV

— dr Theresa Tam (@CPHO_Canada) July 29, 2022

In terms of vaccinations, Health Canada has approved the Imvamune vaccine for immunization against monkeypox in adults 18 years and older who are at “high risk” of exposure.

PHAC recommends contacting your local health authority to see if you are eligible.

What should you do if you have been exposed or have symptoms?

Both PHAC and Gulliver are advising people to self-isolate and in either case contact their healthcare provider or local health authority immediately.

If you know you’ve been exposed, the PHAC says you may be directed to get tested or contact your doctor for a post-exposure vaccination.

The agency says you should watch for symptoms for 21 days after exposure and avoid taking antipyretic drugs like Tylenol, Advil or Motrin, which can mask early symptoms.

Otherwise, if you have symptoms like the lesions, PHAC advises that you cover any rashes with clothing or bandages as much as possible. You should also wear a mask when in a common room or when being looked after.

Fortunately, Gulliver says that based on what we’ve seen so far, if you’ve had monkeypox, it’s similar to getting measles or mumps, where you get it once and never again.

“The immunity doesn’t seem to be waning the way mine is [COVID-19],” she explained.

For more information on monkeypox, visit PHAC.