Monkeypox

These interim guidelines will be updated as new information becomes available and after consultation with additional public health partners.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been working closely with other federal agencies and several state and local health departments to investigate cases of monkeypox virus infections among humans (including veterinarians and staff at veterinary hospitals) who had direct or close contact with ill prairie dogs. The first exposure to ill animals was reported to have occurred after April 15, 2003.Human monkeypox is a rare zoonotic viral disease that occurs primarily in the rain forest countries of central and west Africa. In humans, the illness produces a vesicular and pustular rash similar to that of smallpox. The incubation period from exposure to fever onset is about 12 days. Case-fatality ratios for human monkeypox in Africa have ranged from 1% to 10% (for additional information about monkeypox, see the monkeypox article in Emerging Infectious Diseases at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no3/hutinG1.htm).These guidelines have been developed to assist veterinarians in considering infection control guidelines to protect the health of their staff, clients, and patients