July 13, 2022

Update on monkeypox cases, vaccination, testing, and treatment

Rhode Island has reported two additional cases of monkeypox, bringing the State’s current case count to 3.

Due to extremely limited national availability of vaccine, the JYNNEOS vaccine supply in Rhode Island remains very limited. As a result, we are only vaccinating close contacts to cases at this time. As more vaccine becomes available, we hope to expand Rhode Island’s strategy. 

As detailed in RIDOH’s May 24 advisory, Monkeypox: Key Points for Rhode Island Clinicians, providers are urged to remember three key steps: Identify, Isolate, Inform.

IDENTIFY: Providers should consider monkeypox in a differential diagnosis in patients with new onset rash and lymphadenopathy.

ISOLATE: Any suspected cases of monkeypox should be placed in a private room as soon as possible (negative pressure rooms are not necessary).

INFORM: Any suspected cases of monkeypox must be immediately reported to RIDOH by calling 401-222-2577 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday) or 401-276-8046 (after hours) for case management.

While RIDOH recognizes that commercial testing options are now available, RIDOH’s Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) has plenty of capacity and rapid turnaround times. At this time, Rhode Island providers are urged to utilize RISHL’s monkeypox testing services in coordination with RIDOH’s public health nurses.

Please review the June 14 CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory Update 468: Updated Case-finding Guidance: Monkeypox Outbreak—United States, for detailed information.

Tecovirimat should be considered for some people for treatment of monkeypox, and patient selection is at the discretion of the treating clinician under the EA-IND (Expanded Access for an Investigational New Drug) in consultation with RIDOH. Please review CDC’s Clinical Guidance. 

For more information about monkeypox, please visit https://health.ri.gov/monkeypox. Monkeypox information for clinicians may be found at https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/index.html.