Monkeypox lingering on household surfaces

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#USA, August 25, 2022 – Monkeypox DNA can linger on many household surfaces and items not just bedding according to the CDC,  but possible risk of transmission from these surfaces appears low.

A new study to assess the degree of household contamination carried out in the home of two monkeypox positive roommates found virus DNA on 70 percent of the high contact surfaces in the shared area.

The two were still symptomatic when the home was swabbed, and 21 of the 30 high contact items swabbed were found to have virus DNA present after 20 days of isolation despite regular cleaning.

These high contact areas included blankets, cloth furniture, coffee machines, handles and switches.  Scientists say the regular cleaning might have inactivated the virus and limited the level of contamination within the household.

While the DNA was present, the live virus was not indicating that transmission was unlikely to take place. Whether this was because of the virus’ lifespan or cleaning solutions remains unclear.  The CDC says more information is needed to truly assess the potential for indirect transmission of monkeypox.

Until the agency figures out the truth, people living in or visiting the home of someone with monkeypox should “wear a well-fitting mask, avoiding touching possibly contaminated surfaces, maintaining appropriate hand hygiene, avoid sharing eating utensils, clothing, bedding, or towels, and following home disinfection recommendations.”

There are over 41 thousand cases in the latest outbreak across 94 countries with the US suffering the most, recording more than 14 thousand cases.