Multi-country Monkeypox Outbreak
This Disease Outbreak News on the multi-country monkeypox outbreak is an update to the previously published editions and provides an update on the epidemiological situation, further information on the use of therapeutics, as well as on the outcomes of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the multi-country monkeypox outbreak held on 23 June.
WHO advice
All countries should be on the alert for signals related to patients presenting with a rash that progresses in sequential stages – macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, scabs, at the same stage of development over all affected areas of the body – that may be associated with fever, enlarged lymph nodes, back pain, and muscle aches.
In addition, during this current outbreak, many individuals are presenting with atypical symptoms which includes a localized rash that may include as little as one lesion. The appearance of lesions may be asynchronous, and persons may have primarily or exclusively peri-genital and/or peri-anal distribution associated with local, painful swollen lymph nodes. Some patients may also present with sexually transmitted infections and should be tested and treated appropriately. These individuals may present to various community and health care settings including, but not limited to, primary and secondary care, fever clinics, sexual health services, infectious disease units, obstetrics and gynaecology, emergency departments, surgical specialties and dermatology clinics.
Further information
WHO Guidance and Public Health Recommendations
- WHO Surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing for Monkeypox: Interim guidance, 24 June 2022. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MONKEYPOX-surveillance-2022.1
- WHO Technical brief (interim) and priority actions: enhancing readiness for monkeypox in WHO South-East Asia Region, 28 May 2022. https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/searo/whe/monkeypox/searo-mp-techbrief_priority-actions_300522.pdf?sfvrsn=ae7be762_1 /
- Clinical management and infection prevention and control for monkeypox: Interim rapid response guidance, 10 June 2022. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-MPX-Clinical-and-IPC-2022.1
- WHO Vaccines and immunization for monkeypox: Interim guidance, 14 June 2022. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/356120/WHO-MPX-Immunization-2022.1-eng.pdf
Other Helpful Resources
- CDC – 2022.05.20 HAN Advisory: Monkeypox
- NE ICAP – Infectious Disease Room Log
- NE ICAP – Monkeypox Clinic Workflow
- NE ICAP – Monkeypox EVS Checklist
- Nebraska Medicine – Monkeypox Resource Page
- NETEC – Monkeypox Resource Page
