Mpox: Advice for travellers

Original publication date: June 7, 2022

Updated: May 25, 2026

Affected destinations

Madagascar

Key points

Mpox is a viral infection with a rash that may be painful. Most people recover without treatment after a few weeks.
Travellers can lower their risk of getting mpox by avoiding close physical contact with someone who has mpox, by practising safer sex methods, and by following other recommendations below.
The mpox vaccine is not routinely recommended for travellers, however, if you meet certain high-risk criteria, you may be eligible.

Mpox can be spread from person to person, causing outbreaks.
There is a large mpox outbreak in Madagascar, with cases reported across multiple regions of the country.

Talk to a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably about 6 weeks before your departure date, to get personalized health advice. Even if your travel date is coming up soon, it's still worthwhile to make an appointment.
Delay your travel if you have any symptoms of mpox, or have been diagnosed with mpox.
Sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to stay connected with the Government of Canada in case of an emergency abroad or an emergency at home.

Vaccination for travellers

The mpox vaccine is not routinely recommended for travellers without known exposure to mpox, unless they meet high-risk criteria.
Before travel, check with your local public health authority to see if you are eligible for the mpox vaccine. The vaccine requires two doses, taken at least 4 weeks apart.

You can be exposed to mpox in different situations, such as during:

sexual contact with an infected person
- including oral or non-penetrative contact
close physical contact with an infected person, including when:
- providing care at home
- living in the same household
- contact with contaminated surfaces, materials and objects

Mpox is most often spread between people through:

To lower your risk of getting mpox:

avoid close physical contact, including sexual contact, with someone who has mpox
avoid close physical contact, including sexual contact, with someone who may have had a high-risk exposure to mpox, such as a sexual partner or household member of someone with mpox.
avoid contact with all personal items and objects used by someone with mpox

You can also lower your risk by:

getting vaccinated against mpox, if you’re eligible
using barrier protection during sexual activity, including:
- condoms
- dental dams
- gloves
- clothing
cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for 20 seconds or until dry

Learn more:

Monitor your health:
- Be aware of the symptoms of mpox and talk to a health care provider if you notice any new rash or lesions, even with no other symptoms.
- If you’ve been exposed to mpox, watch for symptoms for 21 days, and avoid taking medications that are known to lower fever, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid. They may mask an early symptom of mpox infection.
If you develop mpox symptoms when you are travelling or after your return to Canada, you should immediately:
- isolate away from others
- contact a health care provider or local public health authority for advice on what to do
If you have symptoms that could be due to mpox during the flight back to Canada, tell the flight attendant before you land or the border services officer as you enter the country. They will notify a quarantine officer who can assess your symptoms.

Learn more:

Mpox is a viral infection with a rash that may be painful. Most people recover without treatment after a few weeks. In rare cases, people can become very sick and die.
Symptoms usually start 7 to 10 days after being exposed to the virus, but they can appear as early as 3 or as late as 21 days.
The rash can be painful and can show up anywhere on the body, including
- face and mouth
- arms and legs
- hands and feet
- anus, rectum and genitals
Other symptoms may include:
- fever
- chills
- headache
- exhaustion
- swollen lymph nodes
- back, joint and muscle pain
People are contagious from the time symptoms start until the scabs have fallen off and the skin has healed.

Learn more:

Mpox: How it spreads, prevention and risks

Other Resources