In May 2022, the Salt Lake County Health Department reported two real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–confirmed travel-associated cases of monkeypox to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (UDHHS). The two persons with monkeypox (patients A and B) lived together without other housemates. Both persons experienced prodromal symptoms (e.g., fatigue and body aches). Eight days after symptom onset, patient A experienced penile lesions; lesions spread to the lips, hands, legs, chest, and scalp by day 10. Patient B experienced prodromal symptoms 8 days after illness onset of patient A; patient B experienced a lesion on the foot which spread to the leg and finger by day 11. Although both patients had lesions in multiple anatomic areas, the overall number of lesions was small, and lesions varied in presentation from “pimple-like” or ulcerated, to characteristically well-circumscribed and centrally umbilicated. Both patients had mild illness. The time from symptom onset to resolution was approximately 30 days for patient A and approximately 22 days for patient B.

To assess the presence and degree of surface contamination of household objects contacted by monkeypox patients, UDHHS swabbed objects in the home of the patients. The patients identified high-contact objects and surfaces for sampling; the patients also described cleaning and disinfection activities performed within the home during their illness and locations within the home where they spent substantial amounts of time while ill. The patients had isolated at home for 20 days before their home was entered for sampling. The patients were still symptomatic at the time UDHHS collected specimens from their home. The temperature in the two-story home ranged from 69°F (20.6°C) to 75°F (23.9°C) during their period of isolation. CDC monkeypox-specific cleaning and decontamination guidance (1) was shared with the occupants at the time the home surfaces were swabbed.

UDHHS personnel entered the residence discreetly wearing recommended personal protective equipment (2). They performed targeted environmental sampling using published methods (3). Specimens were obtained from 30 objects in nine areas of the home and were transported to the Utah Public Health Laboratory for shipment to CDC where they were processed and tested with both nonvariola Orthopoxvirus and West African Monkeypox virus–specific real-time PCR assays (4,5). Viral culture was only pursued if the qualitative PCR result was positive.* This activity was reviewed by CDC and was conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy.

Suggested citation for this article: Pfeiffer JA, Collingwood A, Rider LE, et al. High-Contact Object and Surface Contamination in a Household of Persons with Monkeypox Virus Infection — Utah, June 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 19 August 2022.

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