Monkeypox: case definitions

Possible case

A possible case is defined as anyone who fits one or more of the following criteria:

• a febrile prodrome^† compatible with monkeypox infectioninfection, where there is known prior contact with a confirmed case in the 21 days before symptom onset
• an illness where the clinician has a suspicion of monkeypoxmonkeypox, –such thisas couldunexplained includelesions, unexplainedincluding but not limited to:
  • genital, ano-genital or oral lesion(s) (for– for example, ulcers, nodules) or nodules
  • proctitis (for– for example anorectal pain, bleeding)bleeding

^†Febrile prodrome consists of fever ≥ 38°C, chills, headache, exhaustion, muscle aches (myalgia), joint pain (arthralgia), backache, and swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy).

Probable case

A probable case is defined as anyone with an unexplained rash or lesion(s) on any part of their body (including genital/perianal, oral), or proctitis (for example anorectal pain, bleeding) and who:

• has an epidemiological link to a confirmed, probable or highly probable case of monkeypox in the 21 days before symptom onset

or

• identifies as a gay, bisexual or other man who has sex with men (GBMSM)

or

• has had one or more new sexual partners in the 21 days before symptom onset

Actions on a possible or probable case

Test for monkeypox (using designated testing pathway).

• Take travel history: if patient reports a travel history to West or Central Africa in the 21 days before symptom onset

Actions onplease adiscuss possiblewith orthe probableImported case

TestFever forService, monkeypoxas (usingthese designatedpatients testingmay pathway).

need to be managed as having a high consequence infectious disease. Undertake additional contemporaneous tests to rule out alternative diagnoses if clinically appropriate and if not done already.

If admission of patient required for clinical reasons, admit to single room isolation at negative or neutral pressure at local hospital site with respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and personal protective equipment (PPE) (with appropriate IPC arrangements).

Or, if patient not requiring admission for clinical reasons: self-isolation at home (based on assessment by the clinician and following UKHSA guidance).

Or, if patient not requiring admission for clinical reasons but self-isolation at home is not possible for social or medical reasons following clinician assessment: isolation in single room at negative or neutral pressure at local hospital site with RPE and PPE pending test result (prioritise probable cases).

Highly probable case

A highly probable case is defined as a person with an orthopox virus PCR positive result sincein 15 March 2022 and where monkeypox remains the most likely diagnosis.

Confirmed case

A confirmed case is defined as a person with a laboratorylaboratory-confirmed confirmed monkeypox infection (monkeypox PCR positive).positive) in 2022.

Action on a confirmed or highly probable case

All confirmed or highly probable cases should be assessed for the need for admission based on either clinical or self-isolation requirements. The NHS provides guidance on management of patients with confirmed monkeypox.

All confirmed or highly probable cases should be notified to the local health protection team by the clinician.

Further information

Additional monkeypox resources are available on GOV.UK, including guidance on vaccination and contact tracing.