Monkeypox

  • This information serves as a summary of monkeypox guidance for schools and childcare facilities.
    Monkeypox disease is caused by the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person, animal, or with material contaminated with the virus.

    Monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact including:

    • Direct contact with rash, sores, or scabs from a person with monkeypox.
    • Contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by a person with monkeypox.
    • Contact with respiratory secretions

    Health departments recommend several prevention strategies based on the current scientific evidence, CDC guidance, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations. These measures aim to reduce disease transmission in schools and facilities and help ensure staff and students remain on campus.

    Reporting Cases and Outbreaks

    In accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code HSC 81.042, TAC 97.2, facility administrators are to notify local health officials, staff, and families immediately of any report of confirmed or suspected monkeypox, while maintaining confidentiality. 

    If exposure has occurred with monkeypox, please take the following precautions:

    • Notify a healthcare provider immediately for consultation or contact the local health department if you do not have a provider.
    • Notify your child’s campus nurse.
    • Avoid gatherings, especially if they involve close, personal, skin-to-skin contact.

    Symptoms

    Symptoms will often include rashes that can look like pimples or blisters. These can appear on the face, inside the mouth, and in other parts of the body such as hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. Rashes will go through different stages before healing completely, a process that can remain for several weeks. Some individuals who have monkeypox will only experience rashes.

    If someone is symptomatic:

    • Immediately separate the individual from others.
    • Avoid all direct skin-to-skin contact while caring for the individual.
    • Clean and disinfect any surfaces they touch.
    • Refer the person to their primary care physician for testing, medical evaluation, and potential treatment.
    • Notify your child's campus nurse.
    • Notify the local Health Department immediately.

    Protocols for Monkeypox Cases and Close Contacts

    Individuals with monkeypox or those waiting for test results should isolate at home and not return until they have met the criteria to discontinue isolation. 

    Close Contacts

    A close contact is defined as someone who had direct skin-to-skin contact with a case OR as someone who was within 6 feet of a symptomatic case for 3 or more hours. 

    Monkeypox Resources

    1. https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/transmission.html
    2. https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/clinical-guidance.html
    3. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/monkeypox/
    4. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.81.htm
    5. https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/if-sick/preventing-spread.html
    6. https://dshs.texas.gov/IDCU/disease/monkeypox/DSHS-MPX-Monitoring-Guidance-072722.pdf
    7. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/disinfectants-emerging-viral-pathogens-evps-list-q