Technical Bulletin: Monkeypox

On May 23, following identification of an active monkeypox case in the U.S., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an official notification to their Emerging Viral Pathogen Guidance and Status for Antimicrobial Pesticides (EVP’s) page adding monkeypox virus to their emerging viral pathogens list. The EPA triggered use of its EVP policy to allow registrants of compliant disinfectants to make off-label claims that their EPA registered disinfectants kill the monkeypox virus on hard, non-porous surfaces based on the ability of the disinfectant to kill other harder to kill viruses. Defender (Klorkleen 2) is registered with the EPA for emerging viral pathogens at the highest level – 2c.

The EPA has also published a new List Q of all registered disinfectant products currently approved for use against EVP’s. Defender is included on the new US EPA List Q. Defender has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to monkeypox on hard, non-porous surfaces. It can be used against monkeypox when used in accordance with the directions for use against Norovirus, Coxsackievirus Type B3 and Hepatitis A Virus on hard, non-porous surfaces.

Monkeypox is transmitted via aerosol and Fomite (both people and animals can be the source).

The CDC and EPA recommend surface disinfection as part of the enhanced precautions to prevent transmission.

Visit the CDC website at: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/symptoms.html for more information on Monkeypox.