Intermountain continues to monitor closely as the number of monkeypox cases grows in our service areas, the United States, and worldwide. While it’s important to remain alert and informed, experts say there’s no need to panic. Here are more details about monkeypox and how to respond.
Monkeypox is a rare disease with symptoms similar to smallpox but milder, less contagious, and rarely fatal. The virus spreads from person to person through direct contact with an infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. Unlike COVID-19, which is airborne, the reported cases of monkeypox appear to spread by skin-to-skin contact with infected lesions. It can also spread by touching items, such as clothing or linens, that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids. Wearing PPE when caring for monkeypox patients effectively prevents transmission in the healthcare environment.
While there’s no specific treatment for monkeypox, the condition typically goes away by itself within about two weeks. There are two vaccines licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that are available for preventing monkeypox infection—JYNNEOS (also known as Imvamune or Imvanex) and ACAM2000. There’s currently a limited supply of JYNNEOS, although more is expected in coming weeks and months. There’s also an antiviral drug called tecovirimat (TPOXX) that’s FDA-approved for treatment of smallpox and is expected to be effective against monkeypox virus infection as well. Tecovirimat is being made available to healthcare providers by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), via state health departments, for treatment of certain patients with monkeypox infection whose illness is severe or complicated, or who are at risk for severe or complicated disease. Intermountain infectious disease and pharmacy leaders are working with the CDC and local health departments to provide this therapy. More details are expected next week.
This FAQ from the CDC provides quick, helpful information about monkeypox. Here’s more in-depth information. Here’s an informative CDC slide set for providers, which includes clinical updates and patient assessment tools.
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