Mpox Diagnostic Testing, Treatment, and Vaccination Information

DuPage County Outpatient/Emergency Department Clinicians, Infectious Diseases Physicians, Hospital Infection Preventionists, and Laboratory Professionals,

Please read and reference the CDC and IDPH guidance for mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) virus diagnostic testing, treatment, and vaccination resources, and share this information with your providers and colleagues as relevant.

Testing

Commercial lab testing has become available, and healthcare providers are encouraged to order testing for patients meeting clinical criteria through commercial laboratories.

Patients with suspected or known mpox should be advised to isolate until results are known, and if positive, until all sores have healed, and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Providers are to collect two samples from a lesion using sterile dry polyester, rayon or Dacron swabs that should be readily available in most offices. Unroofing or aspiration of lesions (or otherwise using sharp instruments for mpox testing) is not necessary, nor recommended, due to the risk for sharps injury.

Mpox testing not performed at a commercial lab: Public health approval for mpox testing is required before specimens may be sent to Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Please contact DCHD at 630-682-7400 and request to speak with the Communicable Disease and Epidemiology Unit to begin the approval process.

For additional information on mpox testing : CDC Guidelines for Collecting and Handling Specimens for Mpox Testing

CDC’s Quick Clinical Reference Excerpt:

Additional Considerations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Mpox

All sexually active adults and adolescents in whom mpox is suspected should be evaluated for HIV and other STIs, with appropriate care offered to those with positive test results. In the 2022 outbreak, HIV infection and other STIs have been highly prevalent among persons with mpox. Furthermore, people with HIV-associated immunocompromise are at risk for severe manifestations of mpox.
Test for HIV in every sexually active adult and adolescent in whom mpox is suspected if current HIV status is unknown.
Ensure those with HIV and with suspected or confirmed mpox are on effective antiretroviral therapy and linked to care to optimize immune function.
Discuss and facilitate access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for those who are HIV negative and at risk for HIV.
Instruct patients with suspected mpox to follow isolation recommendations and avoid close contact with other people and with animals, including pets.