Notification from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Notification from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
LAC DPH Health Update:
Monkeypox Updates Including Provider Webinar this Friday, July 22
July 21, 2022
This message is intended for all healthcare providers.
Please distribute as appropriate
.
Key Monkeypox Updates
  • Tecovirimat is available for use in Los Angeles County for patients with severe monkeypox disease or who are at risk for severe disease.
  • The eligibility criteria for monkeypox vaccination has been expanded to a larger group of high-risk persons.
  • Commercial monkeypox testing options now include Quest, Labcorp, Aegis Sciences, and Sonic Healthcare USA.
  • LAC DPH will be hosting a live webinar for healthcare providers this Friday, July 22 from 2-3pm; Event password: EyMi3jmcC23
Please see below for more details.
Treatment of Monkeypox Disease
The current circulating strain of monkeypox has been to date limited to the West African clade, which tends to cause milder disease. Most patients have mild disease and recover without medical intervention. Patients with severe monkeypox disease, including those with pain that interferes with the activities of daily living, and patients at high risk for severe disease should be considered for treatment.
Tecovirimat (also known as TPOXX or ST-246) is an FDA-approved antiviral medication for the treatment of human smallpox disease. The CDC holds an expanded access Investigational New Drug (EA-IND) protocol that allows for the use of stockpiled tecovirimat to treat monkeypox disease during an outbreak.
Data are not available on the effectiveness of tecovirimat in treating monkeypox infections in people, but studies using a variety of animal species have shown that tecovirimat is effective in treating disease caused by orthopoxviruses. Clinical trials in people showed the drug was safe and had only minor side effects.
Tecovirimat is available for use in Los Angeles County for patients who meet the CDC clinical criteria. Informed consent is required for all patients treated with tecovirimat and providers must follow the CDC EA-IND protocol. Tecovirimat is available in oral and intravenous formulations
To obtain tecovirimat, healthcare providers must first call the DPH healthcare provider line. LAC DPH has developed guidance to support clinicians in obtaining and using tecovirimat. See Guidance for the Treatment of Monkeypox-Tecovirimat.
Commercial Monkeypox Testing
The list of commercial labs providing monkeypox testing continues to grow. Providers should submit specimens through commercial labs if possible. Commercial testing for monkeypox is now available at the following laboratories*: Quest, Labcorp, Aegis Sciences and Sonic Healthcare USA.
* Note that the Mayo Clinic Laboratories has been removed from the list of available commercial laboratories as they are not currently providing testing for providers outside their clinic system.
In order to ensure timely and efficient testing and resulting from commercial laboratories and reporting to public health, ordering providers should use electronic test orders and should ensure that the required demographics are accurately and completely entered on the order.
Updated Patient Vaccine Eligibility Criteria
Monkeypox vaccine supplies remain very limited and are prioritized for residents at highest risk of exposure. Providers can refer eligible patients for JYNNEOS vaccination.
The eligibility criteria for vaccination has been expanded to gay or bisexual men and transgender persons who:
  • Had a diagnosis of gonorrhea and/or early syphilis within the past 12 months (previously was within past 3 month); OR
  • Are on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); OR
  • Attended or worked at a commercial sex venue or other venue where they had anonymous sex or sex with multiple partners (e.g., saunas, bathhouses, sex clubs, sex party) within past 21 days.
Please refer to the Monkeypox Vaccination and Post Exposure Prophylaxis section of the Monkeypox Provider Hub to see the full list of groups eligible for vaccination and how to refer eligible patients. Providers are encouraged to visit the eligibility and referral section frequently for the most current information.
LAC DPH Webinar - Update on Monkeypox
This live webinar for healthcare providers will provide updates on the current status of monkeypox in LA County including the monkeypox vaccine roll-out and current guidance on testing and treatment of monkeypox.
Date: Friday, July 22, 2022
Time: 2-3 pm
No advance registration needed.
Click here to join the live webinar; Event password: EyMi3jmcC23
The webinar will be recorded and available for later viewing from the LAC DPH Healthcare Provider Monkeypox Hub
Visit the LAC DPH Provider Monkeypox Hub
Refresh your browser to view the latest version.
This communication was sent by Dr. Sharon Balter, Chief, Acute Communicable Disease Control Program, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
To view a printable PDF of this communication and other LAHAN communications, please visit publichealth.lacounty.gov/lahan.
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