Preventing monkeypox spread in congregate settings

Updated June 16, 2022Monkeypox is a disease that can cause flu-like symptoms and a rash. Human-to-human transmission of monkeypox virus occurs by direct contact with lesions, infected body fluids, or from exposure to respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact. Reports of human-to-human transmission include close contact with a person with monkeypox symptoms. A person is considered to be infectious until all scabs separate and a fresh layer of skin is formed.If a staff member, volunteer, or resident of a congregate living setting has a monkeypox infection, transmission could occur within the setting. For the purposes of this document, congregate living settings are facilities or other housing where people who are not related reside in close proximity and share at least one common room (e.g., sleeping room, kitchen, bathroom, living room). Congregate living settings can include correctional and detention facilities, homeless shelters, group homes, dormitories at institutes of higher education, seasonal worker housing, residential substance use treatment facilities, and other similar settings. These settings may provide personal care services but are not traditional healthcare settings (e.g. hospitals). If healthcare services are provided on site, they are usually provided in specific healthcare areas or by outside healthcare personnel (e.g., home health care workers)