Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It is a viral zoonotic disease, meaning that it can spread from animals to humans and even between people. The viral disease is doing rounds of the internet as it has been detected in several countries. People are worried for their safety after what seemed to be a brief respite from COVID-19. 

Businesses and consumers have some common questions about Monkeypox. “ Is this something we should be concerned about?  How is it spread?  How do I protect myself, my family, and my employees?”

Unlike SARS-COV-2, Monkeypox has been around for a while.  A lot of research has already been completed and there is already a vaccine!  

According to information on the US CDC website, Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name ‘monkeypox. https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/about.html

What is interesting about the most recent cases is that while Monkeypox is considered endemic in several central and western African countries, since May of 2022 we have seen clusters of cases in countries that typically we don’t see cases.  According to the Global.Health website (https://map.monkeypox.global.health/country) as of June 13 there have been 1613 confirmed cases worldwide.  This is something that we have never seen before with Monkeypox.

So, when we asked Patricia Olinger, Executive Director of Global Biorisk Advisory Management (a division of ISSA), “Is this something that we should be concerned about?  Her answer was that we need to be aware, educated, and vigilant. We must be prepared for a scalable response to be resilient.”

Here is what Patricia further had to say about Monkeypox. 

What is Monkeypox? How do you catch it?

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that is thought to typically spread from close person-to-person contact through large respiratory droplets, direct contact with skin lesions or bodily fluids, or indirect contact via contaminated surfaces, clothing or linens.

Infections can occur when a person comes into contact with the Monkeypox virus from an infected person, infected animal, or any materials contaminated with the virus. Monkeypox can spread during intimate contact between people, including during sex, as well as activities like kissing, cuddling, or touching parts of the body with monkeypox sores. At this time, it is not known if monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids.  

There are many questions about respiratory protection needs.  Think about it this way, respiratory secretions can carry the virus.  Respiratory droplets can then potentially cause infection.  Therefore, if you are in close proximity to someone who has Monkeypox you should protect your eyes, nose and mouth.  Droplets settle on surfaces, proper cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and especially surfaces that are touched often is important. These are all lessons that we’ve learned over the years from other infectious materials as well.  We must not forget.

What are its signs and symptoms? 

Symptoms include fever and chills, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash similar to chickenpox that can spread throughout the body and notably on the palms of the hands.

How does it compare with SARS-CoV2?  

While health officials worldwide are urging vigilance when it comes to Monkeypox, it is not SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID19.  While there is still much to learn, we know more about Monkeypox than we did in the beginning of COVID19 outbreak.  WHO and other world health leaders believe that it can be brought under control.  

The Monkeypox virus is also an enveloped virus and therefore most disinfectants will inactivate the virus.  Check with your country to see if there is already a list of approved disinfectants to be used.  If not, as a reference you can go to the US EPA’s Q-list (https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/disinfectants-emerging-viral-pathogens-evps-list-q)

What hygiene measures can the masses adopt to stop its spread?

COVID-19 taught us many lessons.  The lessons we learned apply here as well.  We need to remember them now and forever.  

• The cleaning industry is essential. They are a part of the overall defense against infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics.  
• Cleaning and disinfection for health is critical.  We need to rethink cleanliness.  It is not just that a space looks clean or smells great, we must clean and disinfect correctly.  How we clean and disinfect is important.
• Hand hygiene is critical.  Wash hands often.  If you cannot wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.  
• In the wake of Monkeypox, step back and review your current cleaning procedures and equipment.  Review your cleaning and disinfection chemistries.  They may already be effective against Monkeypox.  
• Focus frequently touched surfaces.  
• Indoor air is important.
• Train and educate your employees, your customers, and your community. 
• Consider a 3rd party accreditation of your program, such as GBAC STARTM Facility Accreditation.  Let’s build a resilient, sustainable, community.

It is critical that we start to recognize the overall vision of the UN Sustainability Development Goals.  That the cleaning industry, through hygiene, supports the vision of many of the 17 Action Packages either directly or indirectly.  

COVID-19 and Monkeypox are not the last of the infectious disease outbreaks that we will see, but we can be prepared and be resilient.  

About GBAC, a Division of ISSA
Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response, and recovery, the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, provides training, guidance, accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance and leadership to government, commercial, and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address, and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises. The organization’s services include biorisk management program assessment and training, infectious disease and biological material response and remediation, the GBAC STAR™ Facility and Service Accreditation Programs, training and certification of individuals, and consulting for building owners and facility managers. For more information, visit www.gbac.org. 

About the speaker: Patricia (Patty) Olinger, JM, RBP

Patty Olinger is the Executive Director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, (GBAC), a division of ISSA, the world’s leading trade association for the cleaning industry.  GBAC is recognized for GBAC STARTM Facility and Service Provider Accreditation and as a leader in training, education, Biorisk management, decontamination, and infection control disciplines. Patty has been involved with the development of international standards for Biorisk Management for over 20 years and is the creator of GBAC STARTM Accreditation Program and the current convener for the ISO working group that developed the ISO standard for Biorisk Management, ISO 35001:2019. 

Before joining ISSA, Patty was responsible for all aspects of EHS at Emory University and compliance support to Emory Healthcare. This included the Serious Communicable Diseases Unit, which cared for 4 Ebola patients in 2014.  Prior to Emory, Patty spent 21 years in the Pharmaceutical Industry. 

Patty is a Registered Biosafety Professional, has a BS in Biochemistry and a Master of Law with a focus on International Public Health.