Monkeypox (MPX virus) belongs to the orthopoxvirus genus and is part of the poxviridae family. The orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (VarV), which causes smallpox, and vaccinia virus (VacV); all of which are enveloped viruses, as is Coronavirus.
Monkeypox is zoonotic in nature, meaning it can be passed from animal to human. It is spread through touch, skin to skin, or through ingesting contaminated foodstuff. It can also be passed through droplets, but only when the person exposed to the virus has developed the pox rash. This is different to Coronavirus, which is spread through droplets and passed from person to person through coughing and sneezing.
Monkey pox is relatively easy to destroy outside the body and with good hand hygiene and good cleaning and disinfection procedures, can be safely removed from contaminated surfaces.
Government guidelines recommend surfaces are given a thorough clean with detergent followed by disinfection with 1,000ppm available chlorine solution. Any residue should be removed with clean water. Bedding and clothing should be handled with care, without shaking, and washed with detergent on a 60°C wash cycle.
As an alternative to chlorine, we would recommend the use of Evans Protect, Est-eem, EC4 Sanitiser, EC9 Washroom, Vanoquat and Peroxy Disinfectant. These products have all been tested and pass EN 16777 and EN 14476, which uses the vaccinia virus, a Covid surrogate, to determine the activity against enveloped viruses.
You can find extra information via these useful links
Monkeypox Cleaning Guidance (Public Health England)
Monkeypox Guidance (Public Health Scotland)
Monkeypox (who.int)
Monkeypox - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
To download and print a copy of this statement, click HERE
Monkeypox is zoonotic in nature, meaning it can be passed from animal to human. It is spread through touch, skin to skin, or through ingesting contaminated foodstuff. It can also be passed through droplets, but only when the person exposed to the virus has developed the pox rash. This is different to Coronavirus, which is spread through droplets and passed from person to person through coughing and sneezing.
Monkey pox is relatively easy to destroy outside the body and with good hand hygiene and good cleaning and disinfection procedures, can be safely removed from contaminated surfaces.
Government guidelines recommend surfaces are given a thorough clean with detergent followed by disinfection with 1,000ppm available chlorine solution. Any residue should be removed with clean water. Bedding and clothing should be handled with care, without shaking, and washed with detergent on a 60°C wash cycle.
As an alternative to chlorine, we would recommend the use of Evans Protect, Est-eem, EC4 Sanitiser, EC9 Washroom, Vanoquat and Peroxy Disinfectant. These products have all been tested and pass EN 16777 and EN 14476, which uses the vaccinia virus, a Covid surrogate, to determine the activity against enveloped viruses.
You can find extra information via these useful links
Monkeypox Cleaning Guidance (Public Health England)
Monkeypox Guidance (Public Health Scotland)
Monkeypox (who.int)
Monkeypox - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
To download and print a copy of this statement, click HERE
