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Emerging Infectious Diseases
Mpox

Mpox

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Mpox Playbook

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. There are two distinct clades of the virus: clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb).
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APIC Resources and Tools
Mpox Playbook APIC and SHEA Webinar Slides

Click here to download the APIC Mpox Playbook

  • Developed by the APIC Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force to help infection preventionists rapidly activate Mpox prevention efforts
  • The playbook is a concise workflow document that is designed to be user-friendly and operational for busy IPs.

Click here for a copy of the APIC and SHEA Mpox Webinar Slides

  • In 2022, APIC and SHEA co-hosted a webinar on mpox, providing infection preventionists and healthcare epidemiologists with up-to-date guidance covering transmission, isolation, and vaccination guidance
About Mpox
Etiology Transmission Clinical Features and Disease Pattern: History and Major Outbreaks:
  • Mpox was historically known as monkeypox, but in 2022, the World Health Organization officially adopted the term mpox
  • Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the mpox virus, part of the Orthopoxvirus genus (related to smallpox)
  • There are two main genetic clades: Clade I is more virulent and historically associated with higher hospitalization and mortality rates. Clade II is less severe but is responsible for the global 2022-2023 outbreak
  • Direct skin-to-skin contact with lesions or body fluids
  • Respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact
  • Fomite exposure, particularly via contaminated linens, bedding, or clothing
  • Vertical transmission from pregnant individuals to the fetus
  • Occasional animal-to-human transmission via contact with infected wildlife or exotic pets
  • Incubation Period: 7 to 14 days (up to 21 days)
  • Rash development may occur
  • Lesions may be localized or generalized
  • Antiviral and JYNNEOS vaccination can be used for treatment or post-exposure prophylaxis when indicated
  • Prior to 2022, mpox cases were primarily linked to travel from endemic regions in Africa
  • In 2022, mpox spread across dozens of countries without direct animal exposure, marking the first documented community transmission in non-endemic regions
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