Mpox was previously known as Monkeypox. In November 2022, WHO recommended Mpox as the new name for Monkeypox disease. Mpox is endemic in some African countries. During 2022 a multi-country outbreak was identified with cases in the UK, Europe, North America and other regions.
The incubation period of Mpox is up to 21 days. The initial symptom are fever, myalgia, fatigue and headache. These symptoms are followed by a rash starting from the site of the primary infection, this rash develops into vesicles and pustules followed by scabs. Infectivity may start during initial symptoms and lasts until the rash clears and all scabs have dropped off.
Staff should be alert for donors who report rashes and illnesses consistent with Mpox, regardless of sexual behaviour, travel history or other risk factors.
Mpox does not spread easily between people. Human-to-human transmission occurs through contact with:
- infectious material from skin lesions
- respiratory droplets in prolonged face-to-face contact
- virus-contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing
During the 2022 multi-country outbreak, the predominance of cases among men who have sex with men and the distribution of the Mpox skin rash at presentation, suggests Mpox transmission is associated with direct contact during sex.
Contacts may have received vaccination, to reduce the risk of serious illness. Usually, vaccination will be with Imvanex or other third generation vaccine against smallpox. Contacts are eligible to donate once they satisfy the requirements of Sections 2 and 3 above.
Health care workers may also have received vaccination to protect against Mpox in the event of possible exposure to monkeypox during their work. They will be working in accordance with Infection Prevention and Control policies and with suitable Personal Protective Equipment, which if not breached means they are eligible to donate.
Other recipients of vaccination for Mpox must be assessed according to section 3 above.
Imvanex is a live attenuated non-replicating third generation Smallpox vaccination. For donor selection purposes this can be assessed as a non-live vaccine but primarily donors must be assessed according to their individual risk of exposure to Mpox. The deferral of some donors for four weeks from the date of a non-live vaccination allows symptoms of Mpox from prior exposure to become evident (incubation period up to 21 days) and encompasses the time for maximum efficacy of the immunisation (up to four weeks). Donors should be deferred until completion of a course of vaccination.
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