Mary Wilson
Well-known member
May 19, 2022
Monkeypox is a rare, pox-like viral disease found mainly in Central and Western Africa. In the past several years, cases of Monkeypox have been detected outside of Africa, typically linked to international travel or imported animals. On May 18, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in an adult male with recent travel to Canada. And the CDC has been tracking multiple clusters of monkeypox reported in several countries that typically do not see Monkeypox cases including Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Italy, and the United Kingdom (CDC).
EMS Strategies for Preventing the Spread of Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a rare, pox-like viral disease found mainly in Central and Western Africa. In the past several years, cases of Monkeypox have been detected outside of Africa, typically linked to international travel or imported animals. On May 18, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in an adult male with recent travel to Canada. And the CDC has been tracking multiple clusters of monkeypox reported in several countries that typically do not see Monkeypox cases including Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Italy, and the United Kingdom (CDC).
EMS Strategies for Preventing the Spread of Monkeypox
- Given the actions of the public health authorities, it is very unlikely that EMS clinicians will encounter a person infected with Monkeypox during routine operations. However, EMS professionals should follow an identify, isolate, and inform strategy, as outlined in NETEC’s webinar The I’s Have It: Identify, Isolate, and Inform to stop the spread of illness.
- Find additional resources on clinical care and infection control related to Monkeypox.
- If you suspect a case of Monkeypox, contact your state health department for possible initiation of special pathogen transport protocols.
- The signs and symptoms of Monkeypox include flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, muscle aches) and swollen lymph nodes. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of Monkeypox.
- One to three days after the onset of viral symptoms, the patient will develop a rash that becomes vesicular/pustular starting on the face and covering the whole body.
- An individual who has recently traveled to a country where Monkeypox is endemic, including Central and Western African countries such as Nigeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo, or had close contact with a person sick with Monkeypox in the last 5-21 days.
- A patient is considered infectious 5 days prior to rash onset until crusting of skin lesions.
- Person-to-person transmission occurs through exposure to large respiratory droplets, which can be projected as far as 6 feet. It can also be transmitted by way of exposure to mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth), direct contact with body fluids or lesions, and indirect contact with lesions, such as through contaminated clothing or linens.
- To guard against the possibility of airborne transmission, EMS personnel should strictly adhere to standard, contact, and airborne precautions. This includes a NIOSH-approved, fit-tested N-95 respirator, gown, gloves, and eye protection with face shield or goggles. ...