Mpox (Monkeypox)

Mpox (Monkeypox) 

(Updated on 16 September 2024)

Latest DHMOSH Advisories for UN Healthcare Workers

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. The clinical presentation of monkeypox resembles that of smallpox, a related orthopoxvirus infection which was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980. Monkeypox is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness.    

Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding.

Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, a rash that can look like pimples or blisters on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. Monkeypox is rarely fatal.

Resources:

  • UN Guidelines

Monkeypox Risk Mitigation Plan (English/French) (September 5, 2024)

Current Mpox Outbreak: What You Need To Know with Dr. Esther Tan (video / slides) (September 10, 2024)

Generic Outbreaks of High Impact Preparedness Checklist for UN Health Facilities (August 20, 2024)

Monkeypox Risk Mitigation Plan PowerPoint Presentation (September 2022)

DHMOSH Medical Capacity Building Webinar: Mpox (Monkey Pox)” by Dr. Carlos Salama (video / slides) (September 16, 2024)

  • WHO

Disease Outbreak News (DONs)

Monkeypox Key Facts

Public health advice for gatherings during the current monkeypox outbreak 

Surveillance, case investigation and contact tracing for monkeypox: (interim guidance, 24 June 2022)

Vaccines and immunization for monkeypox (interim guidance, 16 November 2022)

Laboratory testing for the monkeypox virus (interim guidance, 23 May 2022)

Clinical management and infection prevention and control for monkeypox (interim rapid response guidance, 10 June 2022)

Mpox (Monkeypox) outbreak toolbox (July 2024)

First meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024 (19 August 2024)

  • Other Public Health Authorities

CDC Presentation What Clinicians Need to Know About Monkeypox in the United States and Other Countries

CDC Poster Monkeypox: Get the Facts Monkeypox: Get the Facts

CDC Print Handout: Social Gatherings, Safer Sex, and Monkeypox

  • UN Medical Support Section (MSS)

​​Information from Medical Support Section, DOS on the procurement of mpox supplies: 

  1. If you are located in an mpox affected area, please be sure to establish contact with local WHO offices and convey your needs for considerations if vaccinations is immediately needed.
  2. Missions should validate the temperature conditions required for shipment and storage, as well their impact on shelf life, when planning their requirements.
  3. All contracts for mpox PPE and other supplies are available on the Medical Support Section CoP.
  4. Questions, clarifications, and other requests regarding medical logistics support should be directed to Medical Support Section medicalsupportsection-unhq@un.org.