Please click here to listen to the latest Beaumont HouseCall podcast. In this episode, Dr. Nick Gilpin gives the latest updates on the Monkeypox outbreak.

Suspect Monkeypox Infection Prevention Guidance, July 8
Emerging Diseases Preparedness Plan - Monkeypox, July 8
General photo release form, June 30
Test requisition form, June 30

July 8 update

A message from Dr. Nick Gilpin, medical director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, and Beth Wallace, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, system director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology

As of this week, more than 7200 cases of monkeypox have been reported globally, including more than 600 confirmed cases in the U.S. Recently, the metro Detroit area saw its first patient with confirmed monkeypox. Since then, a second case has been confirmed in the area. Fortunately, this virus has not been a cause of significant morbidity or mortality in the current outbreak, and while it is certainly transmissible, it does not appear to be transmitted as readily as other infections, such as COVID-19.

Monkeypox is primarily transmitted from person-to-person through close physical contact. It can also be spread by respiratory secretions and droplets as well as from contact with contaminated surfaces (such as clothing and linens) that have come into contact with infectious material.

The signs and symptoms of monkeypox can include fever and chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus. If you suspect monkeypox in a patient you are providing care for:

• First, make sure the patient is wearing a mask and moved to a private room with enhanced respiratory and contact precautions (same as you would use for a patient with COVID-19).
• If entering the room of the patient, you should be wearing all appropriate PPE including: fit-tested N95 or greater respirator, eye protection, gown and gloves (same as you would wear if caring for a patient with COVID-19).
• Once the patient is safely in appropriate precautions, follow your department protocols for appropriate management and specimen collection, if applicable.

As with any potentially contagious infectious disease, appropriate patient placement and PPE is of high importance. However, if you provide any care for a patient with monkeypox, it is important to make sure you are also monitoring yourself for the signs and symptoms of monkeypox outlined above. If you develop any of these symptoms, do not report to work and contact Employee Health Services for further recommendations.

We will continue to keep you updated with the latest on this emerging infectious disease as the situation evolves. We thank you for your continued commitment to keeping ourselves, our staff and our patients safe.

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June 2 update

Since early May, more than 350 suspected and confirmed cases of Monkeypox have been identified in 23 countries where the virus is not endemic. The first U.S. confirmed cases occurred on May 18 when a Massachusetts resident tested positive after returning to the U.S. from Canada. There are currently 14 other confirmed cases in the country.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has developed a guidance document for investigating potential cases. Please also use the exposure questionnaire as we navigate the situation.

Here are a few of the takeaways:

• If you identify a patient with a rash that could be consistent with monkeypox, especially those with a recent travel history to central or west African countries, parts of Europe where monkeypox has been reported, or other areas reporting monkeypox cases, monkeypox should be considered as a possible diagnosis.
• You should first consult with your local health department or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Emerging & Zoonotic Infections Diseases Section at 517-335-8165 (after hours: 517-335-9030) or CDC through the CDC Emergency Operations Center (770-488-7100) as soon as monkeypox is suspected.
• To order monkeypox testing, you can order “Miscellaneous Procedure, Sendout” with Monkeypox PCR in the comments section.
• Collection and transport
• Notify the microbiology laboratory of any patient’s suspected of monkeypox infection so additional precautions can be taken to handle additional specimens for routine testing.