Case reporting
All suspected or confirmed cases of mpox should be reported to Austin Public Health by calling 512-972-5555 or emailing aphsurveillance@austintexas.gov.
Commercial lab testing
Commercial laboratory testing is now available. Providers should submit specimens through commercial labs, if possible.
Clinical Pathology Laboratories
Infection control guidelines
Standard Precautions should be applied for all patient care, including for patients with suspected mpox. If a patient seeking care is suspected to have mpox, infection prevention and control personnel should be notified immediately. Activities that could resuspend dried material from lesions, e.g., use of portable fans, dry dusting, sweeping, or vacuuming should be avoided.
A patient with suspected or confirmed mpox infection should be placed in a single-person room; special air handling is not required. The door should be kept closed (if safe to do so). The patient should have a dedicated bathroom. Transport and movement of the patient outside of the room should be limited to medically essential purposes. If the patient is transported outside of their room, they should use well-fitting source control (e.g., medical mask) and have any exposed skin lesions covered with a sheet, wound dressing, or gown. Intubation and extubation and any procedures likely to spread oral secretions should be performed in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR).
PPE used by healthcare personnel who enter the patient’s room should include:
- Gown;
- Gloves;
- Eye protection (i.e., goggles or a face shield that covers the front and sides of the face); and a
- NIOSH-approved particulate respirator equipped with N95 filters or higher.
For more information on infection prevention and control of mpox, please visit the CDC website or the mpox main information page.
Tecovirimat (TPOXX) information
Currently there is no treatment approved specifically for mpox virus infections. However, antivirals developed for use in patients with smallpox may prove beneficial against mpox.
Many people infected with mpox have a mild, self-limiting disease course in the absence of specific therapy. However, the prognosis for mpox depends on multiple factors, such as previous vaccination status, initial health status, concurrent illnesses, and comorbidities among others.
For information regarding who is eligible for tecovirimat (TPOXX) treatment please click here.
Tecovirimat may be considered for treatment in people infected with mpox:
- With severe disease (e.g., hemorrhagic disease, confluent lesions, sepsis, encephalitis, or other conditions requiring hospitalization)
- Those who are at high risk of severe disease:
- People with immunocompromising conditions (e.g., HIV/AIDS, leukemia, lymphoma, generalized malignancy, solid organ transplantation, therapy with alkylating agents, antimetabolites, radiation, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, high-dose corticosteroids, being a recipient with hematopoietic stem cell transplant <24 months post-transplant or ≥24 months but with graft-versus-host disease or disease relapse, or having autoimmune disease with immunodeficiency as a clinical component)
- Pediatric populations, particularly patients younger than 8 years of age
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- People with a history or presence of atopic dermatitis, people with other active exfoliative skin conditions (e.g., eczema, burns, impetigo, varicella zoster virus infection, herpes simplex virus infection, severe acne, severe diaper dermatitis with extensive areas of denuded skin, psoriasis, or Darier disease [keratosis follicularis])
- People with one or more complications (e.g., secondary bacterial skin infection; gastroenteritis with severe nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration; bronchopneumonia; concurrent disease or other comorbidities)
- With aberrant infections involving accidental implantation in the eyes, mouth, or other anatomic areas where Mpox virus infection might constitute a special hazard (e.g., the genitals or anus)
How do I initiate tecovirimat treatment for my patient?
First, providers should evaluate their patients using the CDC expanded access criteria found here. If the patient meets the criteria, please contact Austin Public Health at 512-972-5555 for more information.
Can I charge my patient for Tecovirimat?
From the CDC, no, the drug should be provided at no cost. There is no funding available to assist with laboratory testing. Testing plasma PK samples collected and sent by the hospital to the lab contracted to test PK samples and/or blood or specimens sent via the health department to CDC for serology or virologic testing would not have a cost to the patient.