Monkeypox - new joint guidance issued to support healthcare professionals

New principles for monkeypox control have been issued to support healthcare professionals, as monkeypox cases continue to rise in the UK.

The consensus statement, agreed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Public Health Scotland, Public Health Wales and Public Health Agency Northern Ireland, sets out a joint approach to managing monkeypox cases and preventing further transmission.

The guidance specifies the minimum PPE for possible/probable cases or confirmed cases requiring ongoing clinical management in healthcare settings.  The principles also cover how people should isolate at home and risk assessment of close household and non-household contacts of confirmed cases.

Other new publications include:

De-isolation and discharge of monkeypox-infected patients: interim guidance for NHS Trusts.  This includes discharge from hospital to home, and de-isolation in household settings.

Monkeypox: background information for the public.

Blog by UKHSA.

Guidance about isolating pets, particularly rodents, where they are in a household with a confirmed case.

To follow the latest updates, see:

England: Monkeypox cases confirmed in England – latest updates

Scotland: Additional case of monkeypox confirmed in Scotland

Wales: Public Health Wales statement on confirmed case of monkeypox

Northern Ireland: PHA update on monkeypox