Mpox : Transmission of the disease
The monkeypox virus (English: Monkeypox virus, MPXV) is considered moderately transmissible. In the current outbreak, the disease has so far been transmitted from person to person through close contact with an infected person.
Modes of transmission
- Skin and mucous membranes (for example, eye, nose, mouth, genitals),
- Vesicles and skin lesions (infected secretions or blood),
- Respiratory secretions or large respiratory droplets,
- indirectly via recently contaminated items (for example, bedding, towels, clothing, hygiene items, door handles).
It is currently not certain whether monkeypox can also be spread through semen or vaginal secretions.
It is certain that the virus can be transmitted through direct skin and mucosal contact, even during sexual activity.
The disease can be transmitted from any people to others during close contact. Sexual contact with a person with the disease increases the likelihood of transmission. Frequently changing sexual partners increase the risk of infection.
One is contagious from the onset of the first symptoms until the rash ends, that is, until the last skin crusts have fallen off (see disease-symptoms and disease-progression).
At present, men who have sex with men (MSM) in particular (but not exclusively) are at increased risk of infection.
MPX: probability of disease
A disease is all the more likely to occur if one or more of the following conditions are present:
- An epidemiologic link to a suspected or confirmed case of monkeypox in the 21 days preceding the onset of symptoms;
- large and prolonged physical contact in the last 21 days before symptom onset, especially with changing and/or anonymous sexual partners;
- direct, close physical contact in the last 21 days before symptom onset with a man who has sex with men;
- participation in events involving direct close physical contact (especially skin and mucous membrane contact)