Information for facilities where work with Mpox (Monkeypox) Virus is conducted
On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization Director General issued a statement declaring that the increase in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a growing number of countries in Africa, as well as the emergence of a new sub-lineage of clade I mpox virus (MPXV clade Ib) constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). A previous PHEIC for mpox was in place between June 23, 2022 and May 10, 2023, given a multi-country outbreak of mpox caused by clade IIb MPXV in previously non-endemic countries, including Canada.
As of August 16th, the risk to people in Canada from mpox remains low. However, as the global situation evolves, continued surveillance and preparedness are critical. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is monitoring and responding to the developing situation to provide Canadians with evidence-based information and guidance. The PHAC Centre for Biosecurity, in consultation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Office of Biohazard Containment and Safety (OBCS), has developed these frequently asked questions & answers to help support our stakeholders in understanding and meeting their regulatory obligations with respect to MPXV and the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and associated Regulations (HPTA/R) and the Health of Animals Act and associated Regulations (HAA/R).
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Any questions or concerns can be sent to biosafety.biosecurity@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
Q1. What risk group is Mpox virus (MPXV)?
MPXV is classified as a Risk Group 3 (RG3) human and RG3 animal pathogen and is regulated under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and Regulations (HPTA/R) and the Health of Animals Act and Regulations (HAA/R). It is also considered a prescribed human pathogen, or a security sensitive biological agent (SSBA).
Q2. What containment level do I need to conduct controlled activities with Mpox virus (MPXV)?
All controlled activities including in vitro and in vivo research, or non-research activities with Mpox virus (MPXV) are to be performed in accordance with an RG3 SSBA Pathogen and Toxin Licence issued under the HPTA and in a facility that meets the minimum applicable requirements for containment level 3 (CL3), as described in the Canadian Biosafety Standard (CBS).
Please consult the Scientific Research Policy for Human Pathogens and Toxins for more information on research activities.
Q3. What containment level do I need to conduct diagnostic activities with patient samples suspected or known to be infected with Mpox virus (MPXV)?
Primary specimens (e.g., skin lesion scrapings, tissue biopsies, rectal swabs, blood collected directly from patients) are excluded from the HPTA and are not regulated by the PHAC as a human pathogen, provided the pathogen will not be cultivated or intentionally collected or extracted (i.e., concentrated, cultured).
Important Note: If primary specimens (e.g. human, animal, environmental) or other materials that contain MPXV (including any derivatives of them) are imported, they are regulated under the HAR and facilities are to meet the requirements of the Canadian Biosafety Standard.
When conducting non-propagative diagnostic activities that do not result in the concentration or extraction of MPXV (e.g., PCR testing performed directly from primary specimens), it is recommended to follow good microbiological laboratory practices and universal precautions in work areas where primary specimens are handled. As described in the Canadian Biosafety Guideline: Human Diagnostic Activities, facilities are encouraged to conduct a local risk assessment (LRA) for diagnostic activities, which takes into consideration the potential for infectious aerosol and droplet production and the risk of exposure. This will assist in determining appropriate mitigation measures that reduce site-specific and activity-specific risks in a way that is feasible for the facility.
If or when it is determined through an LRA that non-propagative diagnostic activities may result in the inadvertent concentration or extraction of MPXV, it is recommended that facilities meet the minimum requirements for containment level 2 (CL2), as described in the CBS.
As more information regarding the current outbreak of mpox becomes available, it may be determined that there is a lower risk of exposure when handling certain types of primary specimens. For example, preliminary evidence suggests that blood poses a lower risk of exposure compared to skin lesion swabs or scraping because of the short duration of viremia early in the course of the infection, usually before the skin lesions appear[1],[2]. PHAC will update information as needed.
Q4. What permits and licences are required to import Mpox virus (MPXV)?
MPXV is a Risk Group 3 (RG3) human and RG3 terrestrial animal pathogen, as well as an SSBA. It is regulated under Human Pathogens and Toxins Act and Regulations (HPTA/R) and the Health of Animals Act and Regulation (HAA/R). The following describes what material requires authorization to import, which authorization is required, and whether it is issued by PHAC or the CFIA.
Pure culture of MPXV - requires an RG3 SSBA Pathogen and Toxin Licence (PTL) issued under the HPTA/R and HAA/R, issued by PHAC.
Human, plant, or environmental samples that contains MPXV – requires an RG3 Pathogen and Toxin Licence (PTL) issued under the HAA/HAR only, issued by PHAC. An RG3 SSBA PTL issued under the HPTA/R may also be required if the virus will be cultivated or intentionally collected or extracted.
Animal product/animal by-product containing MPXV – requires an Animal Pathogen Import Permit issued by CFIA. An RG3 SSBA PTL issued under the HPTA/HPTR may also be required if the virus will be cultivated or intentionally collected or extracted.
An Animal Pathogen Transfer Permit is required to transfer any imported material or its derivatives containing MPXV to a location other than that specified on the Animal Pathogen Import Permit or Animal Pathogen Transfer Permit.
Please contact the Centre for Biosecurity licensing team at PHAC by email licence.permis@phac-aspc.gc.ca for more information on what type of Pathogen and Toxin Licence you require.
For information on obtaining a Terrestrial Animal Pathogen Import Permit, Terrestrial Animal Pathogen Transfer Permit or CL2 Facility Compliance Letter issued by CFIA, please contact 1-800-442-2342 or permission@inspection.gc.ca.
For information on CL3 facility certification by CFIA, please contact the Office of Biohazard Containment and Safety (OBCS) at .
Q5. What is required to ship Mpox virus (MPXV) patient specimens?
The transportation (packaging, shipping, receiving) of infectious substances is subject to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations, administered by Transport Canada. Personnel shipping materials that contain or may contain MPXV require Transportation of Dangerous Goods training.
The Transportation of Dangerous Goods temporary certificate TU 0886.1, which allows for relaxed shipping requirements for patient specimens that may contain MPXV remains valid until July 31, 2025.
For further information, please refer to the Transport Canada Shipping Infectious Substances bulletin. To obtain further assistance, contact Transport Canada at: TDG-TMD@tc.gc.ca.
Q6. Do laboratory personnel require an HPTA Security Clearance to work with Mpox virus (MPXV)?
Yes, an HPTA Security Clearance is required to conduct controlled activities with MPXV as it is a Security Sensitive Biological Agent (SSBA). The area in the facility where the virus is handled or stored is only accessible to individuals with a valid Security Clearance issued under the HPTA or to individuals under 1:1 accompaniment and supervision by an individual with a valid Security Clearance issued under the HPTA. These Security Clearances are issued by PHAC with the help of security and intelligence partners. Please refer to our website for more information on SSBAs and the HPTA Security Clearance program, as well as the program’s associated Service Standards. Note: an HPTA Security Clearance is not required for non-propagative diagnostic work with primary specimens as they are excluded from the HPTA.
Q7: My organization already has a Pathogen and Toxin Licence for work with RG3 pathogens including SSBAs, and we would now like to work with Mpox virus (MPXV). What do we need to do?
You will need to submit an amendment to add MPXV to your existing RG3 SSBA Pathogen and Toxin Licence via PHAC’s Biosecurity Portal. As part of the licensing process, your organization may be required to submit additional documentation to demonstrate compliance with the conditions of the licence, which include adhering to the applicable requirements described in the Canadian Biosafety Standard for containment level 3 (CL3).
If you are importing or would like to work with an imported animal product or by-product that contains MPXV , you will also need to request an Animal Pathogen Import or Transfer Permit from the CFIA.
Q8: My organization would like to work with Mpox virus (MPXV) and has an RG3 Pathogen and Toxin Licence, but we don’t have authorization to work with SSBAs. What do we need to do?
You will need to submit a new licence application for a Pathogen and Toxin Licence authorizing RG3 SSBA in order to work with MPXV. This can be done via PHAC’s Biosecurity Portal. Secondly, you will need to submit an associated HPTA Security Clearance application. It is recommended to submit as early as possible as this is a rate-limiting step for issuing a licence authorizing work with SSBAs.
As part of the licensing process, your organization may be required to submit additional documentation to demonstrate compliance with the conditions of your licence, which include adhering to the applicable requirements described in the Canadian Biosafety Standard for containment level 3 (CL3).
Q9. My organization has a laboratory that was previously certified to an older Canadian biosafety guideline or standard for containment level 3 (CL3) activities but is now being used as a containment level 2 (CL2) laboratory. We are considering reactivating this laboratory in order to do work with Mpox virus (MPXV). What do we need to do?
Please reach out to the Centre for Biosecurity at biosafety.biosecurite@phac-aspc.gc.ca so that we can provide you with the best possible guidance on the requirements necessary for reactivation and subsequent licensing of your CL3 laboratory to work with MPXV. Include the following in your correspondence:
- What type of work is expected to be done with MPXV? In vitro and/or in vivo?
- Do you plan to work with RG3 pathogens other than MPXV in this laboratory?
- Was this containment zone initially certified as a CL3 Laboratory Work Area only, CL3 Small Animal Zone or CL3 Large Animal Zone?
- Which Canadian Biosafety Guideline(s)/Standard(s) was this containment zone initially certified to?
This information is necessary in determining the compliance documentation that will need to be submitted and potential performance and verification testing that may need to be completed in order for PHAC to authorize an RG3 Pathogen and Toxin Licence for work at CL3. Additionally, an HPTA Security Clearance and review of an organization’s Biosecurity Plan is required for issuing an SSBA Pathogen and Toxin Licence.
Centre for Biosecurity, Regulatory, Operations and Emergency Management Branch
Public Health Agency of Canada / Government of Canada
pathogens.pathogenes@phac-aspc.gc.ca / Tel: 613-957-1779
[1] World Health Organization. 2022. Monkeypox Fact Sheet. Retrieved 05/30, 2022 from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox
[2] World Health Organization. 2022. Laboratory testing for the monkeypox virus: Interim guidance. Retrieved 05/30, 2022 from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MPX-laboratory-2022.1