Table 1.

Infection prevention and control recommendations for staff attending to a pregnant patient with suspected monkeypox infection

Examples of clinical encounters in obstetrics	Recommended PPE and other IPC measures
Healthcare staff with direct patient contact, eg:
•Patient transport (including paramedic staff)	• Gloves
•Obstetrical (including vaginal) examination	• Surgical cap
•Ultrasonography (including vaginal scans)	• N95/FFP2 respirator
•Delivery	• Gowns with long sleevesa
•Pathology (for placenta/fetal tissue examination)	• Goggles or disposable face shields
Housekeeping staff with high-risk exposure, eg: •Cleaning operating room after delivery •Handling potentially infected waste (including placental tissue and soiled linen)	• Gloves
	• Surgical cap
	• N95/FFP2 respirator
	• Gowns with long sleevesa
	• Goggles or disposable face shields
	• Boots or shoe covers should be considered
	Other IPC measures
	• All waste and soiled linen should be considered infectious and double-bagged with an inner water-soluble layer.
	• Labor and operating rooms occupied by pregnant women with confirmed monkeypox should be terminally cleaned with bleach-based disinfectants (ie, 1000 ppm).
	• Adjunct use of UV-C disinfection systems or HPV systems would be prudent. Patients’ own clothing (if not discarded) may be bagged and brought home for laundering in a standard washing machine using 60°C hot water and detergent.
	• We recommend that units consult their IPC teams on the management of items that cannot be adequately disinfected.

HPV, hydrogen peroxide vaporization; IPC, infection prevention and control; PPE, personal protective equipment; UV-C, ultraviolet C.

Dashraath. Monkeypox and pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022.

^aGowns should be fluid-impermeable or Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation level 4-equivalent.