Evaluation of human-to-human transmission of monkeypox from infected patients to health care workers

Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Mar 1;40(5):689-94. doi: 10.1086/427805. Epub 2005 Feb 7.

Abstract

Background: In 2003, human monkeypox was first identified in the United States. The outbreak was associated with exposure to infected prairie dogs, but the potential for person-to-person transmission was a concern. This study examines health care worker (HCW) exposure to 3 patients with confirmed monkeypox.

Methods: Exposed HCWs, defined as HCWs who entered a 2-m radius surrounding case patients with confirmed monkeypox, were identified by infection-control practitioners. A self-administered questionnaire and analysis of paired serum specimens determined exposure status, immune response, and postexposure signs and symptoms of monkeypox.

Results: Of 81 exposed HCWs, 57 (70%) participated in the study. Among 57 participants, 40 (70%) had > or =1 unprotected exposure; none reported signs or symptoms consistent with monkeypox illness. One exposed HCW (2%), who had been vaccinated for smallpox within the past year, had serological evidence of recent orthopoxvirus infection; acute- and convalescent-phase serum specimens tested positive for anti-orthopoxvirus IgM. No exposed HCWs had signs and symptoms consistent with monkeypox.

Conclusion: More than three-quarters of exposed HCWs reported at least 1 unprotected encounter with a patient who had monkeypox. One asymptomatic HCW showed laboratory evidence of recent orthopoxvirus infection, which was possibly attributable to either recent infection or smallpox vaccination. Transmission of monkeypox likely is a rare event in the health care setting.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Child
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Female
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mpox (monkeypox) / transmission*
  • Smallpox Vaccine
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Smallpox Vaccine