Duration of Isolation Procedures

Isolation precautions should be made only after consultation.

Decisions regarding discontinuation of isolation precautions should be made in consultation with the local or state health department.

For individuals with monkeypox, isolation precautions, either in healthcare facilities or home settings, should be continued until all lesions are crusted. 

Following the discontinuation of isolation precautions, affected individuals should avoid close contact with immunocompromised persons until all crusts are gone.  

Immunocompromised persons include those whose immune mechanisms are deficient because of:

• Immunologic disorders (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection or congenital immune deficiency syndrome)
• Chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer, emphysema, or cardiac failure)
• Immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., radiation, cytotoxic chemotherapy, anti-rejection medication, or steroids)