Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
On August 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary declared monkeypox virus a Public Health Emergency in the United States. This announcement aims to strengthen the response effort of the Biden-Harris Administration. The White House’s strategy “includes significantly scaling the production and availability of vaccines, expanding testing capacity and making testing more convenient, reducing burdens in accessing treatments, and conducting robust outreach to stakeholders and members of the LGBTQI+ communities.”1 The full response details can be found here.
On August 9, 2022, the FDA authorized emergency use of JYNNEOS vaccine to help increase vaccine availably. This new authorization will allow clinicians to use the vaccine intradermally for those aged eighteen and older. This is expected to increase the number of vaccines up to five times as the intradermal vaccine dose is about one-fifth of the amount required for the subcutaneous vaccine dose. Additionally, this EUA will allow individuals younger than 18 years old to receive the vaccine subcutaneously. Research has shown that both routes of administration produce similar immune responses.2
USET TEC has created a general fact sheet and cleaning and disinfection fact sheet which have been linked within this alert for distribution within hospitals, health clinics, and any community organization that will reach the community, especially those with ties to those within the MSM networks. A short recording and PowerPoint presentation are also linked for clinicians to review key clinical signs, treatment, and vaccine options. Contact your State Health Department as there are vaccines and treatment available! If you have any difficulty in doing so, please contact us at usetepi@usetinc.org and we will assist you! Additional information for clinicians is linked here. Additional information on disaster declarations is linked here.
Epidemiological Update
The World Health Organization publishes biweekly status reports. As of August 3, 2022, 98.8% (N=16,517/16,721) of cases are male and 97.5% (N=7,328/11,812) of cases were reported as Men who have Sex with Men (MSM). Males aged eighteen to forty-four years old account for 76.7% of cases and seem to be disproportionately impacted. The data shows that 91.5% (N=4,808/5,255) of transmission events were through a sexual encounter. There have only been two cases of a health worker infected that was not also a MSM, indicating clinical protocols are adequate. Only five deaths have been reported from this outbreak worldwide.3,4. More detailed data is available here.
This epidemiological data is vital in effectively stopping this outbreak, we are at a critical turning point. The current monkeypox outbreak is reminiscent of the beginning of the HIV epidemic. Monkeypox is spread by direct contact, and anyone can get it; however, using the lessons learned and the networks created through controlling HIV, these can be used to effectively distribute monkeypox information to inform and protect our communities.
If you have any questions or need support in your response, please reach out to usetepi@usetinc.org or CDC Monkeypox Partnership Team at eocevent434@cdc.gov.
Sources:
1 Biden-Harris Administration Bolsters Monkeypox Response
2 FDA EUA JYNNEOS Vaccine- August 9, 2022
3 WHO Global Trends- Updated Biweekly
4 WHO Epidemiological Update 7/25/2022
References:
Steps for Clinicians to Order Monkeypox Therapies
WHO Health Emergency Dashboard
Indian Country ECHO: Monkeypox Update 7/21/2022
JYNNEOS Smallpox and Monkeypox Vaccine Storage and Handling Summary
MMWR: Interim Guidance for Prevention and Treatment of Monkeypox in Persons with HIV Infection — United States, August 2022
MMWR: Epidemiologic and Clinical Characteristics of Monkeypox Cases — United States, May 17–July 22, 2022
Signs and Symptoms
Isolation and Prevention Practices for People with Monkeypox
Considerations for Reducing Monkeypox Transmission in Congregate Living Settings
Vaccines
ASPR: JYNNEOS Monkeypox Vaccine Distribution by Jurisdiction
Clinical Recognition
Guidance for Tecovirimat Use Under Expanded Access Investigational New Drug Protocol during 2022 U.S. Monkeypox Cases
Safer Sex, Social Gatherings, and Monkeypox
General
Signs and Symptoms
Isolation and Prevention Practices for People with Monkeypox
Considerations for Reducing Monkeypox Transmission in Congregate Living Settings
2022 U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak
U.S. Map & Case Count
Global Map & Case Count
Monkeypox Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Report: Multi-National Monkeypox Outbreak, United States, 2022
Vaccination
JYNNEOS Smallpox and Monkeypox Vaccine Storage and Handling Summary
Vaccines
ASPR: JYNNEOS Monkeypox Vaccine Distribution by Jurisdiction
Considerations for Monkeypox Vaccination
ASPR: Operational Planning Guide
For Clinicians
Clinical Recognition
Guidance for Tecovirimat Use Under Expanded Access Investigational New Drug Protocol during 2022 U.S. Monkeypox Cases
Information For Healthcare Professionals
Clinician FAQs | Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC
Interim Clinical Guidance for the Treatment of Monkeypox
Clinical Considerations for Monkeypox in Children and Adolescents
Clinical Considerations for Treatment and Prophylaxis of Monkeypox Virus Infection in People with HIV
Clinical Considerations for Monkeypox in People Who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Obtaining and Using TPOXX (Tecovirimat)
Laboratory
How to Report Test Results
Information for Laboratory Personnel
Preparation and Collection of Specimens
Health Departments
Information for Health Departments
Case Definitions† for Use in the 2022 Monkeypox Response
Case Reporting Recommendations for Health Departments
Considerations for Monkeypox Vaccination
Community Engagement
Safer Sex, Social Gatherings, and Monkeypox
Reducing Stigma in Monkeypox Communication and Community Engagement
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR)
MMWR: Interim Guidance for Prevention and Treatment of Monkeypox in Persons with HIV Infection — United States, August 2022
MMWR: Epidemiologic and Clinical Characteristics of Monkeypox Cases — United States, May 17–July 22, 2022
Additional Resources
Second meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox | Public Health Emergency of International Concern
Building Healthy Online Communities: Health Information and Messaging on Monkeypox
WHO Interim Rapid Response Guidance: Clinical Management and Infection Prevention and Control of Monkeypox
WHO: Community Engagement
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