Topline
A lack of high quality and comprehensive information on how to treat and care for monkeypox may be hindering clinicians’ ability to respond to the current global outbreak, according to a new study published in British Medical Journal Global Health, which found existing guidelines are contradictory and lack key information.
A pharmacist fills syringes with the monkeypox vaccine.
Key Facts
In a search of six major databases, researchers identified 14 relevant clinical management guidelines—a tool used by front-line physicians to respond to outbreaks—on monkeypox treatment and care, but most were of low quality, according to a framework used to evaluate health guidance.
Most guidelines were missing critical information for several groups at risk of becoming infected: Only five gave advice for children and only three offered guidance for pregnant women or people living with HIV.
Information on monkeypox treatments were particularly inconsistent, researchers found, with none offering details on best dosage, timing and length of treatment.
This lack of robust guidance may create “uncertainty” for clinicians treating monkeypox, especially those with no previous experience, and may negatively impact patient care, researchers wrote in the study.
Big Number
11,890. That’s how many cases of monkeypox and orthopoxvirus, the class of viruses monkeypox belongs to, the U.S. has confirmed across every state except Wyoming since the current global outbreak of the disease began in early May, according to Centers for Disease Control. Some 36,214 cases have been confirmed in 85 countries that have not historically reported monkeypox outbreaks.
Key Background
Monkeypox is a virus spread through close contact that can result in painful lesions, chills, fever, headaches and other symptoms. The virus is endemic to certain regions of Africa, where outbreaks—smaller in scope than the current one—have been largely ignored. This has in part led to a lack of comprehensive data on real-world use of monkeypox vaccines and treatments. Some recent research also suggests the current global outbreak of monkeypox may cause symptoms that differ from previous outbreaks, which doctors have warned could result in cases going undetected. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved any treatments specifically for monkeypox, though certain antivirals, such as Tpoxx, which are used for smallpox, a virus genetically similar to monkeypox, may be recommended for treatment, according to the CDC. Still, these treatments are incredibly hard to access. The Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency earlier this month in an attempt to streamline the United States’ response and speed up vaccine distribution. The FDA also issued an emergency use authorization last week allowing the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine—the only shot approved specifically by the FDA to protect against monkeypox—to be given in smaller doses by intradermal injection, which will effectively quintuple the number of doses available in the national stockpile.
Tangent
The U.S. government has faced backlash for a sluggish rollout of the Jynneos monkeypox vaccine as cases have climbed in several states, including New York and California. The New York Times reported this week the vaccine rollout continues to be hampered by the federal government’s use of a new government agency under the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute the shots, instead of a previously established one. That decision has resulted in difficulty tracking and receiving shipments of the vaccine, including deliveries to the wrong locations and improper storage of the shots, local health officials told the Times.
Further Reading
White House Declares Public Health Emergency For Monkeypox Amid Vaccination Struggles (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/madelinehalpert/2022/08/16/monkeypox-doctors-may-struggle-with-incomplete-treatment-guidance-study-suggests/