Healthcare Professionals

Get text updates about mpox from the County. Text COSD MONKEYPOX to 468-311. (Phone users: tap to create the message)

ACTIONS REQUESTED

1. Consider a diagnosis of mpox in people who present with an unusual or characteristic rash and who in the month preceding illness:

Reports having contact with a person or people with a similar appearing rash or who received a diagnosis of confirmed or probable mpox or
Had close or intimate in-person contact with individuals in a social network experiencing mpox activity, this includes men who have sex with men (MSM) who meet partners through an online website, digital application (“app”), or social event (e.g., a bar or party) or
Traveled outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of mpox or where mpox virus is endemic or
Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that is an African endemic species or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)

2. Report probable or confirmed cases of mpox to County Epidemiology Unit within one working day using a Confidential Morbidity Report faxed to 858-715-6458 or sent by secure email to epi-cdreporting.hhsa@sdcounty.ca.gov.

8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday: 619-692-8499.
Mpox virus-specific testing is available through commercial laboratories or through the Public Health Laboratory.
Testing through the Public Health Laboratory requires approval but sample collection and refrigeration before approval is acceptable.
For more information: Health Advisory Update #3: Mpox, Testing at Commercial Laboratories.

3. Instruct suspected cases to isolate until testing is resulted.

4. To request mpox testing by the PHL, collect swabs (detailed instructions) and then call 619- 692-8499 (8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday). Swabs for PHL testing should be transported in dry sterile containers without viral media.