Mpox is still circulating in B.C. with 19 cases reported this year
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is alerting the public that mpox is still circulating, with the majority of new cases being reported in the health region that encompasses Vancouver.
Vancouver Coastal Health says cases are predominantly rising among men who have sex with men.
There is a vaccine to protect against mpox, but not everyone is eligible to get it for free in B.C. Men and transgender individuals who are part of the LGBTQ2S+ community or who have sex with a partner in that community are eligible to receive the two-part immunization free of charge.
There have been 19 confirmed cases of mpox so far in 2025, with more than two-thirds in the VCH region. That’s less than the 96 cases reported in 2024 and down from 190 confirmed cases in 2022. Still, VCH wants to see the number of new cases fall further.
More than half of the new cases have been in people who are not immunized or didn’t receive a full vaccination course. People who’ve been fully immunized can still get the virus, but they have milder symptoms. They can still transmit the infection to others.
“With the recent rise in cases, the spread of infection continues to be through person-to-person transmission,” VCH said in a news release.” In B.C., among those who received a first dose of vaccine since 2022, only 47 per cent have received a second dose; it is never too late to receive a second dose, regardless of the date of first vaccination.”
Mpox typically presents with flu-like symptoms at first before a skin rash with lesions appears. Symptoms typically appear within two weeks of exposure, but can sometimes appear up to 21 days later.
“All individuals with signs and symptoms of mpox should get tested by their primary care provider or local clinic, as mpox can also mimic other types of common infections such as genital herpes or syphilis that may require different treatment,” VCH said.