ACEP Monkeypox Field Guide

Compiled by: Dr. Saman (Sam) Shahid, MBBS, MPH - American College of Emergency Physicians

Monkeypox is declared a public health emergency in the US (August 4th 2022).

CDC is tracking multiple reported U.S. monkeypox cases, and monitoring cases in persons in countries without endemic monkeypox and with no known travel links to an endemic area; current epidemiology suggests person-to-person community spread. 

CDC is urging healthcare providers in the U.S. to be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox, regardless of whether they have travel or specific risk factors for monkeypox and regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

CDC Data on 2022 Monkeypox and Orthopoxvirus Cases in the U.S.

If clinicians identify patients 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.

Clinicians should first consult their state health department (State Contacts) or CDC through the CDC Emergency Operations Center (770-488-7100) as soon as monkeypox is suspected.

If you have a patient that meets the probable or confirmed case definition, please contact the CDC Monkeypox Call Center to report the case and obtain the case report form.