Monkeypox Clinical and Policy Update
This is the seventh in a series of clinical and policy updates on the monkeypox virus. We also have a page dedicated to monkeypox updates on our website. Check back for relevant webinars and resources. The CDC monkeypox website is also a good resource for updated information related to monkeypox.

Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including:
  • Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs or body fluids from a person with monkeypox
  • Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding or towels) and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox
  • Contact with respiratory secretions
Monkeypox Updates

The NIH announced Sept. 9 that a Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the antiviral tecovirimat, also known as Tpoxx, is now enrolling adults and children with monkeypox infection in multiple study sites around the United States. Click here to learn more.

The Sept. 9 MMWR “Clinical Use of Tecovirimat (Tpoxx) for Treatment of Monkeypox Under an Investigational New Drug Protocol — United States, May–August 2022” reported that tecovirimat was generally well tolerated and the data supported continued access to that treatment during the current monkeypox outbreak. Click here to learn more.

The rationale for simultaneous expanded access and the need for a randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluating tecovirimat (Tpoxx) is examined in a New England Journal of Medicine article. Click here to learn more.

CDC partner communications released Sept. 12 reviewed that the use of sharps such as needles, lancets and scalpels is not necessary when collecting specimen samples for monkeypox virus testing and their use could lead to sharps injuries to healthcare personnel. Review CDC guidance:

A Sept. 12 New York Times article, “Monkeypox Shots, Treatments and Tests Are Unavailable in Much of the World,” describes vaccine inequities between wealthy nations like the U.S. and the majority of countries around the world who have battled the monkeypox virus for years but cannot afford current vaccines and treatment. Click here to learn more.

A Sept. 8 interview with CDC officials noted that broadening recommendations for who gets vaccinated against monkeypox to include many men with HIV or those recently diagnosed with other sexually transmitted diseases is being considered. This consideration is based on a recent study that recommended prioritizing persons with HIV infection and STIs for vaccination and other prevention efforts. HIV and STI screening and other recommended preventive care should be routinely offered to persons evaluated for monkeypox, with linkage to HIV care or HIV PrEP, as appropriate. Click here to learn more.

The Sept. 13 MMWR “Two Cases of Monkeypox-Associated Encephalomyelitis — Colorado and the District of Columbia, July–August 2022” noted that neurologic complications are a potential outcome of monkeypox infection, though it is currently unknown whether the complications resulted from direct viral neuroinvasion or a parainfectious autoimmune process. Click here to learn more.

A Sept. 2 case report published in the Journals of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) Case Reports described a case of acute myocarditis in a male patient with confirmed monkeypox infection, highlighting that cardiac involvement may be a potential complication associated with monkeypox. Click here to learn more.