Who is considered to be a close contact?

A close contact has been in contact with a person who has been diagnosed with confirmed mpox during the infectious period of their disease course. Close contacts will be contacted by the health service in the municipalities in connection with contact tracing, or by the infected person.

Close contacts are divided into low- and high-risk categories based on their degree of exposure to infection. Prolonged and / or intimate contact entails a particular risk of transmission. In the ongoing outbreak (discovered in May 2022), sexual contact has often been the mode of transmission. The health service will tell you which group you belong to and how you should be followed up. Close contacts should monitor their own symptoms and contact the health service if they develop symptoms (see fact box).

If you are considered to be a high-risk contact

If you are considered to be a high-risk contact, for example, having had intimate or sexual contact with, or living with an infected person, it is recommended that you avoid any form of close contact with other people (including sex with a condom), for 21 days after the last exposure. During this period, you should especially avoid contact with people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, young children (under 6 years) and frail elderly people. You should also avoid contact with animals / pets.

It is recommended that you measure your temperature twice per day and monitor your own symptoms. Contact a doctor if you develop a fever, rash, muscle aches or swollen lymph nodes.

You can go to work, school and other activities as normal. If you work with groups with an increased risk of a severe disease course (children under 6 years of age, pregnant women, frail elderly people and people with weakened immune systems), you should discuss whether there is a need to make alternative work arrangements with your doctor.

You must not donate blood, biological material or organs in the period up to 21 days after your last contact with an infected person.

Vaccines are available and may be appropriate for you, see About the mpox vaccine

If you are considered to be a low-risk contact

If you have no symptoms, you can live as normal.

You should monitor your own symptoms, measure your temperature daily and consult a doctor if you develop a fever, rash, muscle aches or swollen lymph nodes.

You must not donate blood, biological material or organs in the period up to 21 days after your last contact with an infected person.

What should you do if you develop symptoms?

If you suspect that you are infected with mpox and develop symptoms, you should isolate yourself and avoid close contact with humans and animals / pets until a negative test result confirms that you do not have mpox. It is especially important to avoid contact with people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, young children and frail elderly people.

You will be given information by the health service in your municipality about what to do if you develop symptoms. You should contact a doctor to make an appointment, informing them about the suspicion of mpox, so that examination and testing can be arranged.

Preventive measures at home

The mpox virus can survive in bedding, clothing and on surfaces, especially where it is dark and cool. If you have had visitors or people staying over in the last 15 days who showed symptoms and later tested positive for mpox, the following is recommended:

• Wash all textiles (towels, sheets, blankets etc.) that might have been in contact with skin or soiled by biological materials (semen, faeces, blood, urine and other bodily fluids) with hot water, minimum 60°C.
• Clean areas that could have been contaminated by biological materials (semen, faeces, blood, urine and other bodily fluids) with a cleaning agent according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use disposable wipes. If a household bleach is used for disinfection, use a mixing ratio of 0.5 dl bleach per litre of water. 
• Use protective equipment during cleaning, for example disposable gloves and a facemask.
• Clean your hands afterwards, even if gloves were used. Wash dirty hands with soap and water. You can also use hand sanitisers if the hands are dry.

What happens if you are diagnosed with mpox?

If you get a confirmed diagnosis with mpox, you should go into isolation immediately.

• See: If you have been diagnosed with mpox

Contact tracing will be initiated if mpox is detected. You are considered to be contagious from the onset of the first symptoms (fever, headache, etc., or from 48 hours before the onset of the rash if this is the only symptom) and as long as you have the rash, i.e., until the scabs have dried up and new skin has formed underneath. It is important to notify all your close contacts throughout this period.