Ocular Monkeypox Cases Confirmed

The U.S. CDC published an Early-Release Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) yesterday, revealing five cases of ocular monkeypox identified in the United States from July to September 2022.

The CDC says these patients with ocular monkeypox, including those with HIV-associated immunocompromise, have experienced delays in treatment initiation, prolonged illness, hospitalization, and vision impairment.

This is important news as ocular monkeypox is a potentially sight-threatening infection. 

The total number of ocular monkeypox cases remains under investigation, as the CDC has confirmed 27,468 monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases since May 2022.

The CDC suggests healthcare providers and public health practitioners should be aware that ocular monkeypox, although rare, is a sight-threatening condition.

Patients with signs and symptoms compatible with ocular monkeypox should be considered for urgent ophthalmologic evaluation and treatment.

And prompt notification of public health officials can help support these efforts.

To reduce the risk of monkeypox infection, the U.S. CDC has suggested people speak with their healthcare provider about the two-dose JYNNEOS® (IMVANEX®) vaccine that the U.S. FDA initially approved in September 2019.