If you are evaluating a patient suspected of having monkeypox, call Alexandria Health Department (AHD) at 703.746.4951. 

Monkeypox is a considered a rapidly reportable disease, and healthcare providers are required to report suspect cases, even if testing using a commercial laboratory such as Labcorp. Do not wait for confirmatory or rule-out testing before calling.  AHD can advise on risk factors, testing resources, patient isolation instructions, treatment considerations, and infection prevention practices for your healthcare setting.

When to Suspect Monkeypox:

If the patient has a new characteristic rash or if the patient meets 1 of the epidemiologic criteria listed below and there is a high clinical suspicion for monkeypox. 

 Within previous 21 days, patient:

 ○ Had contact with a person with a similar appearing rash or who received a diagnosis of confirmed or probable monkeypox 

OR

 ○ Had skin-to-skin contact with someone in a social network experiencing monkeypox activity, this includes men who have sex with men

 OR

 ○ Those who traveled to places or attended events where monkeypox cases have been confirmed in the month before symptoms appeared

 OR 

○ Had contact with laboratory specimens or other items that could serve as fomites that have been in contact with a person or animal with a suspected or known orthopox or monkeypox virus infection 

OR

 ○ Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that is an African endemic species or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, etc)

Lab Testing Guidance

Commercial Lab Testing

• Monkeypox (orthopox) testing is becoming more widely available through commercial labs.
• Once available, providers can order the monkeypox test just as they normally would other tests. 
• As of 7/6 Labcorp offers monkeypox (orthopox testing)
• As of 7/12 Mayo clinic offers monkeypox (orthopox testing)

State Lab Testing (Free – no cost to patient or provider)

• If your practice does not have access to commercial lab monkeypox (orthopox) testing, work with AHD to obtain approval for testing through our state public health laboratory, Department of Consolidated Laboratory (DCLS)

Testing Instructions for Suspected Monkeypox (orthopox)

To join the healthcare provider email list for updates, please email alex_epi@vdh.virginia.gov.

Statewide monkeypox updates and resources like monkeypox information sheets can be found on the VDH Monkeypox for Healthcare Professionals page.

Additional resources from AHD: public website with general info about the monkeypox virus, One-pager/poster for provider's offices  and follow up info for people with monkeypox . 

To report a disease to Alexandria Health Department, please follow these steps. 

Consult  Virginia Reportable Disease List

If disease should be reported immediately (within 24 hours for rapidly reportable conditions), call 703.746.4951. For TB (or suspected TB), call 703.746.4960 and press 2 to speak with a nurse.

If disease should be reported within 3 days: 

• Report online through the Online Disease Reporting Portal (links to the Virginia Department of Health)
• Call 703.746.4951
• If you experience technical issues with the VDH Disease Reporting Portal, please download the VDH Disease Reporting Form (Epi-1) and
  • Fax form to: 703.746.4953
  • Mail form to: ATTN: Communicable Disease, 4480 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302
      
            Reports must include: Patient's name, home address, and phone number; patient's date of birth; date of diagnosis; date of symptom onset

Suspect a disease of public health concern but no confirmation yet? 

Virginia Department of Health (VDH) encourages you to report suspected cases of diseases before laboratory confirmation (e.g. mumps, B. pertussis, meningitis, etc.) to the Health Department immediately  so we can:

• Provide guidance on lab testing and facilitate sending specimens to the state public health lab
• Offer infection control recommendations
• Start a public health investigation right away

If you would like to report aggregate influenza testing results please use the  AHD Weekly Influenza Reporting Form 

Virginia State law requires requires all physicians report certain diseases to the local health department serving the jurisdiction where the physician practices.

• Code of Virginia, sections 32.1-36 and 32.1-37 
• Regulations for Disease Reporting and Control from the Board of Health, sections 12 VAC 5-90-80 and 12 VAC 5-90-90 

Looking for another local health department? Visit the VDH Local Health District Directory.

For the latest updates, and rules and regulations for disease reporting, please consult Virginia Department of Health's website.

Annual Summary of Reportable Diseases: Every year, our epidemiology program compiles a report summarizing cases of reportable diseases investigated by Alexandria Health Department. The report also highlights notable public health topics and initiatives in our community. Past reports are available below. 

• 2017 Report
• 2016 Report
• 2015 Report
• 2014 Report  
• 2013 Report 
   

Monthly Local Public Health Alerts: Alexandria’s epidemiology program sends monthly reports to providers with important public health information.

• Measles NOVA Case

Please email alex_epi@vdh.virginia.gov or call 703.746.4951 to add your office to the distribution list for our annual or monthly reports. Visit our Epidemiology page to learn more about Alexandria Health Department's program. 

Virginia Department of Health offers useful resources for healthcare providers including: letters to clinicians from the State Health Commissioner, training opportunities, best practices and more. Visit: www.vdh.virginia.gov/clinicians/      

 How do a I start a Respiratory Protection Program for my office?

For more information on creating a Respiratory Protection Program visit  https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3079.pdf

Online Zika Test Request Form

• VDH Zika Virus Information for Clinicians 
• CDC Zika Virus Information for Healthcare Providers