Name of organism: Monkeypox virus
Current areas with outbreak: Multiple countries around the world.
Transmission:
Human-to-human transmission occurs by:
- Face-to-face exposure (including health care workers without appropriate PPE).
- Direct physical contact.
- Contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding.
Presenting complaints:
- Initially fever, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes
- After 1 to 2 days rash starting from mouth to face then trunk and arms
- Rash starts as a flat sore that turns into a blister that is liquid-filled and may itch or hurt.
- All the lesions evolve at the same time (unlike chickenpox) and last 2 to 4 weeks
- Rash may also start before or at the same time as other symptoms or may not progress over the body.
- Rash may first develop in or around the mouth, groin, or anus.
Incubation period: 1 to 21 days
Contagious period: From the start of symptoms till all the crusts fall off
Screening at point of entry:
- Vesicular rash with fever or lymphadenopathy especially if history of travel
- Screening activities should be conducted maintaining a distance of at least 1 m from patients wearing a mask
Infection Control Measures:
- Initiate Airborne and contact precautions till chickenpox is ruled out.
- Once chickenpox is ruled out, shift the patient to droplet with contact precautions.
- A single room with a dedicated bathroom and staff is recommended.
- Cohorting is allowed if enough single rooms are not available.
- Recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) includes gloves, gown, N95 mask, and eye protection
- For Aerosol Generating Procedures shift to AIIR
- Cover lesions with a dressing, sheet, or clothing to reduce potential contact.
- PPE should be disposed of prior to leaving the isolation area where the patient is admitted.
- Ensure cleaning and disinfection of the equipment in between patients.
- Care must be taken when dealing with linen which may be infectious. Use red bags to transport.