Date: June 8, 2022
CDC Raises Monkeypox Travel Alert Level
On June 6, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised the monkeypox travel alert to level 2. Travelers are advised to use enhanced precautions when visiting countries with both endemic and nonendemic monkeypox outbreaks. Currently, 29 countries have reported 1,088 poxvirus infections; the U.S. has 35 cases of the virus in 15 states.
Hospitals and clinics should contact their local public health agency or Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ (DHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7) to report a patient suspected of having monkeypox. An epidemiologist will walk providers through the process for sample submission and testing.
The following resources are available for planning and response purposes.
- CDC: Monkeypox Situation Summary
- CDC: What Clinicians Need to Know
- CDC: Specimen Collection Instructions
- NETEC: Monkeypox Outbreak Updates
- CDC: Decontamination Guide for Smallpox (applicable to monkeypox)