From the ND Dept of Health: HEALTH ALERT NETWORK | HEALTH ADVISORY | May 20, 2022

Monkeypox in the United States and Other Countries

The North Dakota Department of Health is providing this information from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding recent reported cases of Monkeypox.

Monkeypox was confirmed in a Massachusetts resident earlier this week, adding the United
States to a growing list of countries recently confirming monkeypox cases. These cases are
unusual because the usual risk for monkeypox, travel to an endemic area, is absent for many of the cases. In addition to assessing patients for risk factors such as recent travel, obtaining a good sexual history will be important from patients presenting with a rash illness as many of the cases have occurred among men who have sex with men. Monkeypox may be part of the differential diagnosis that may include other rashes/lesions that may be associated with sexually acquired infections.

Suspected cases of monkeypox should be immediately reported to the North Dakota
Department of Health by calling 1-800-472-2180 or 701-328-2378.

The Laboratory Services Section at the North Dakota Department of Health offers PCR testing
for monkeypox. More information on laboratory testing, including specimen collection and
transport, is available by calling 701-328-6272.

This is an official CDC HEALTH ADVISORY.