Longitudinal mpox virus surface sampling in an outpatient setting

Atkinson, Barry; Spencer, Antony; Onianwa, Okechukwu; Furneaux, Jenna; Grieves, James; Nicholls, Ian A.; Gould, Susan; Fletcher, Tom; Dunning, Jake; Bennett, Allan; Patel, Sheel; Asboe, David; Whitlock, Gary

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2023.02.007

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…This corresponds with the reported low number of cases of occupational transmission of mpox across Europe 38. Notably, most of the respondents to this survey encountered mpox in outpatient services, where the risk of occupational infection is expected to be lower than inpatient settings 39 40…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cross-sectional survey of sexual health professionals’ experiences and perceptions of the 2022 mpox outbreak in the UK

Hayes,

Dakin,

Smuk

et al. 2024

BMJ Open

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ObjectiveTo understand the experiences and perceptions of sexual health professionals responding to the May 2022 mpox outbreak in the UK.DesignCross-sectional, anonymous, online survey collecting quantitative and qualitative data. Convenience sample recruited via an international network of sexual health and HIV clinicians responding to mpox and promoted through clinical associations and social media. Survey domains included: clinical workload; preparedness, support, and training; safety at work; vaccination; and well-being. Qualitative descriptive analysis of open-text responses was conducted to support interpretation of the quantitative data.ParticipantsParticipants who were employed as sexual health professionals in the UK and had direct clinical experience of mpox were included in the analysis. The survey was completed between 11 August and 31 October 2022 by 139 respondents, the majority of whom were doctors (72.7%), cis-female (70.5%) and White (78.4%).Results70.3% reported that they were required to respond to mpox in addition to their existing clinical responsibilities, with 46.8% working longer hours as a result. In the open-text data, respondents highlighted that workload pressures were exacerbated by a lack of additional funding for mpox, pre-existing pressures on sexual health services, and unrealistic expectations around capacity. 67.6% of respondents reported experiencing negative emotional impact due to their mpox work, with stress (59.0%), fatigue (43.2%) and anxiety (36.0%) being the most common symptoms. 35.8% stated that they were less likely to remain in their profession because of their experiences during the mpox outbreak. In the open-text data, these feelings were ascribed to post-COVID exhaustion, understaffing and frustration among some participants at the handling of the mpox response.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that sexual health services require increased funding and resources, along with evidence-based well-being interventions, to support sexual health professionals’ outbreak preparedness and recovery.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…38 Notably, most of the respondents to this survey encountered mpox in outpatient services, where the risk of occupational infection is expected to be lower than inpatient settings. 39 40 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross-sectional survey of sexual health professionals’ experiences and perceptions of the 2022 mpox outbreak in the UK

Hayes,

Dakin,

Smuk

et al. 2024

BMJ Open

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“…Widespread surface contamination (56 [93%] of 60 samples were positive) was found in occupied patient rooms, on healthcare worker PPE after use, and in PPE donning areas 30 . As a result, combining surface and air sampling in future research may be able to yield more information 22 …”

Section: Type Sample Mpox Strain Used Referencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Intriguingly, it was unclear if the mpox virus had been transmitted through the air or without symptoms. 19 Although it may be premature to assume that mpox can travel through the air, it is necessary to take such a possibility amid reported asymptomatic infections, misdiagnosis, inadequate research, limited resources for testing, and surveillance and growing data about the disease 20,21 ; therefore, the possibility of contracting human mpox through the respiratory system is unknown, 22 but cannot be ruled out. Despite the existing epidemiological investigations that haven't found a link between airborne transmission among the human population in the current and previous mpox outbreaks, infection via aerosolized mpox virus has been reported in nonhuman primates (Clade I -Cynomolgus macaques [Macaca fascicularis]) (Table 1).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Mpox virus Clade IIb detection in the air

Saied

2023

Journal of Medical Virology

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Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease endemic in Central and West Africa that is caused by the Mpox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus and Poxviridae family. The clinical manifestations of mpox infection are milder than those of smallpox, and the incubation time of mpox varies from 5 to 21 days. Since May 2022, the mpox outbreak (formerly known as monkeypox) has suddenly and unexpectedly spread in non-endemic countries, suggesting that there may have been some undetected transmissions. Based on molecular analysis, there are two major genetic clades that represent the mpox virus: Clade I (formerly the Congo Basin clade OR the Central African clade) and Clade II (formerly the West African clade). It is believed that people who are asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic may spread the mpox virus. Infectious viruses cannot be distinguished by PCR testing; therefore, virus culture should be carried out. Recent evidence regarding the detection of the mpox virus (Clade IIb) in air samples collected from the patient's environment during the 2022 mpox outbreak was reviewed. Further studies are needed to evaluate the extent to which the presence of mpox virus DNA in the air could affect immunocompromised patients in healthcare facilities, and further epidemiological studies are crucial, especially in Africa.

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