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Mpox Information for Healthcare Providers

For the mpox outbreak, healthcare providers are asked to Educate, Vaccinate, Test, and Treat.

Educate

See the CCDPH Mpox Outbreak page and Communications Materials for resources to share with your patients.

Vaccinate

JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 are the two currently licensed vaccines in the United States to prevent smallpox. Because mpox is closely related to the virus that causes smallpox, the smallpox vaccine can protect people from getting mpox. Past data from Africa suggests that the smallpox vaccine is at least 85% effective in preventing mpox.

CCDPH Vaccine Eligibility

  1. You have NOT been previously infected with mpox

AND

2. Have been exposed to mpox

AND/OR

3. Are in a population deemed currently to be at higher risk of being exposed to mpox*

*Currently includes:

  • Having a diagnosis of HIV.
  • Being eligible and/or currently taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to prevent HIV infection.
  • Identifying as a bisexual, gay, or other same-gender loving man who is currently sexually active.
  • Identifying as a transgender or non-binary person who is currently sexually active.
  • Having a diagnosis of an STI (sexually transmitted disease) in the past 6 months.
  • Having had sex at a commercial sex venue (e.g. sex club or bathhouse) in the past 6 months.
  • Having had sex at an event or venue where mpox transmission is known to have occurred.
  • Exchanging goods or services for sex.

For anyone exposed, the sooner an exposed person gets the vaccine, the better. CDC recommends that the vaccine be given within 4 days from the date of exposure in order to prevent onset of the disease. If given between 4–14 days after the date of exposure, vaccination may reduce the symptoms of disease, but may not prevent the disease.

If you are a healthcare provider or organization interested in vaccinating your eligible patients, email [email protected]

If you are unable to provide vaccinations for your own patients, you can refer them to Cook County Health Clinics. Phone Number to schedule 833-308-1988

Update: FDA released an EUA to 1) allow lower volume intradermal injections, making more doses available AND to 2) allow subcutaneous vaccinations in patients <18 years old, making it easier to vaccinate eligible youth. See here for Updated CDC Guidance .

Test

Testing is now available via commercial labs: Aegis Science, Labcorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics and Sonic Healthcare. No approval is needed by IDPH or CCDPH to test through commercial labs. Please work with your healthcare organization leadership to ensure there is a clear plan for testing for mpox at your site. Test anyone with mpox symptoms . Patients being tested for mpox infection should be instructed to isolate to protect others pending their final diagnosis. See mpox isolation at home instructions .

  • Positive mpox tests from commercial laboratories are generally reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health via electronic lab reporting.
    • Providers affiliated with acute care hospitals should coordinate with their Infection Prevention departments to ensure positive mpox case details are entered into I-NEDSS (which gets routed to CCDPH).
    • Outpatient facilities should report details of positive cases of suburban Cook County residents to CCDPH during normal business hours (8:30 am – 4:30 pm) by calling 708-836-8699 . Alternatively, completed mpox case reports can be faxed to 708-836-8697 via this CCDPH Mpox Investigation Form.
  • Providers should pursue commercial laboratory testing for suspect mpox cases; CCDPH can authorize testing at IDPH lab only in limited circumstances (outbreaks, high risk exposures for uninsured or underinsured patients where the facility cannot absorb the cost)
  • It is critical that providers notify patients of their results, provide infection prevention guidance to mpox cases, and whether additional treatment may be indicated.
    • For mpox contacts, providers should assess whether their patients may benefit from PEP to prevent mpox or lessen symptoms.
  • See “CDC Preparation and Collection of Specimens

Treat

Patients with lesions or pain that interfere with the activities of daily living and patients at high risk for severe disease should be considered for treatment with tecovirimat (TPOXX) . There is no shortage of tecovirimat. We encourage all major hospitals to keep a supply on hand. To obtain a supply of tecovirimat in suburban Cook County, you can email [email protected]

Updated April 11, 2023, 5:28 PM

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