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. 2022 Sep 29;7(10):276. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed7100276

Table 2.

Key findings and practical implications of the review.

Topic Key Findings Practical Implications
Occupational exposure - Occupational exposure and infections have been reported in HCWs and in workers in contact with animals in previous outbreaks;
- A limited number of studies are available, despite the endemic diffusion of monkeypox in central Africa since 1970;
- The monkeypox virus can remain on surfaces for a long time, but further studies are needed to detect its infection potential.		 - HCWs can be considered at a high risk;
- Surveillance of exposed workers for 21 days is necessary;
- Exposed workers should not work with immunocompromised patients;
- Evidence on the possible transmission of monkeypox to animals (domestic and farm) are missing, but in the future, other job categories may be at risk.
Preventive measures - PPE (disposable gown and gloves, eye protection, and FFP2 masks) are needed;
- Education and training are preventive measures;
- Risk assessment, contact tracing, and vaccination are valid post-exposure prevention measures;
- Editorials, reviews, and WHO, CDC, and ECDC guidelines provide indications about appropriate practices.		 - The widespread availability of PPE is mandatory, including in outpatient clinics;
- Knowledge of the disease and confidence in the diagnosis are fundamental parts of the overall prevention strategy;
- As learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, training and education are measures that also protect workers’ mental health;
- Vaccination with VARV vaccines, predominantly as a secondary prevention act, is effective up to 85%.
Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers - Outside endemic regions, healthcare knowledge about monkeypox is limited;
- The attitude towards vaccination in the selected studies on the topic is moderate;
- Only a few cross-sectional studies are available on this topic.		 - Specific programs of education and training for the early recognition of the disease are necessary, especially in non-endemic countries;
- Awareness of the biological risk is necessary in healthcare settings to implement prevention procedures;
- Programs of vaccine sensibilization may be useful.