Monkeypox – information for healthcare professionals
Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, and is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. It is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa. There has been a recent increase in cases in the UK. This page provides information to support healthcare professionals in NHS Wales.
Key facts
The following information has been taken from the WHO fact sheet on monkeypox:
- Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks. Severe cases can occur. In recent times, the case fatality ratio has been around 3–6%.
- 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.
- 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 typically presents clinically with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and may lead to a range of medical complications.
Antiviral treatment options
The Chief Medical Officers of Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland have issued a Therapeutic Alert on the use of tecovirimat as a treatment for patients hospitalised due to monkeypox infection. An UK-wide interim clinical commissioning policy statement has also been published.
There are three potential antiviral treatment options for human monkeypox infection. The Welsh Medicines Information & Advice Service have compiled the following table to help healthcare professionals consider the risks and benefits of each of the treatment options.
Monkeypox vaccination
No stock of UK-licensed product is currently available. The US Jynneos® brand and the EU version of Imvanex® are currently being imported into the UK.
For further details on the current licence status of available products and the legal mechanisms for administration, see the considerations for monkeypox vaccination page from the Specialist Pharmacy Service.
Patient Group Direction (PGD)
The national monkeypox vaccination PGD template is available below. This PGD template is for adaptation by local health boards.
Patient Specific Direction (PSD)
The national monkeypox vaccination PSD template is available below. This PSD template is for adaptation by local health boards.
Public information resources
NHS 111 Wales have information on monkeypox
Public Health Wales have produced leaflets on protecting from monkeypox
Useful information
- Monkeypox: guidance from UKHSA
- Monkeypox – Information for health professionals from Public Health Wales
- Using smallpox vaccine for monkeypox exposure from Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS)
- Monkeypox resources from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH)
- Smallpox and monkeypox immunisation, chapter 29 in Immunisation against infectious disease (the Green Book)
- Monkeypox vaccination information from Public Health Wales
- Monkeypox information on NHS Health A to Z
- Report any adverse reactions following MVA-BN vaccination to the MHRA using the online Yellow Card reporting site or via the Yellow Card app
Change history
25 Sep 22 Statement on tecovirimat treatment for hospitalised patients added.
08 Sep 22 National PSD template and licence status information updated.
09 Aug 22 National PGD template and NHS 111 Wales A-Z link added.
21 Jul 22 Yellow card reporting site link added.
15 Jul 22 BASHH link added.
30 Jun 22 Public Health Wales leaflets and page added.
28 Jun 22 National PSD template added. Link to NHS Health A to Z page added.
22 Jun 22 Link to Green Book chapter added.
14 Jun 22 Published.
