CDC Offers Guidance For Providers On Monkeypox Infection Prevention & Control In Healthcare Settings

Patient Placement

• A patient with suspected or confirmed monkeypox infection should be placed in a single-person room; special air handling is not required.
• The door should be kept closed (if safe to do so). The patient should have a dedicated bathroom.
• Transport and movement of the patient outside of the room should be limited to medically essential purposes.
• If the patient is transported outside of their room, they should use well-fitting source control (e.g., medical mask) and have any exposed skin lesions covered with a sheet or gown.
• Intubation, extubation, and any procedures likely to spread oral secretions should be performed in an airborne infection isolation room.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used by healthcare personnel who enter the patient’s room should include:

Gowns

Gloves

Eye protection: Goggles or a face shield that covers the front and sides of the face

Mask: NIOSH-approved particulate respirator equipped with N95 filters or higher

Environmental Infection Control

• Standard cleaning and disinfection procedures should be performed using an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant with an Emerging Viral Pathogen claim. Such products may be found on EPA’s List Q.
• Monkeypox is classified as Tier 1 (enveloped virus).