Guide for Medical Providers in Delaware
The Delaware Division of Public Health has outlined helpful information and resources for medical professionals in Delaware. Review the materials below, if you have questions please contact us.
Contact Delaware’s Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (OIDE)
Normal Business Hours Contact Number: 302-744-4990
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
24/7 Emergency Contact Number: 1-888-295-5156
Testing
- All requests antivirals should be sent to DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (OIDE) at 302-744-4990 (business hours) or 1-888-295-5156 (24/7). OIDE business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- DPH encourages providers to collect specimen following Lab Advisory: CDC Updates Specimen Collection Guidelines for mpox Virus and send to approved CDC mpox Commercial Laboratory Companies. Delaware currently has two laboratories in which results can be provided to DPH, they are identified as LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics. Health care facilities that require specimen collection kits can order through OEMS@delaware.gov using a SHOC Resource Request form.
- In addition to dry swabs, CDC can now accept lesion swabs in viral transport media (VTM) and lesion crusts (currently these two specimens must be received by CDC within 7 days of collection).
- The DPH laboratory cannot run samples in VTM. Contact commercial labs to inquire on their ability to do so.
If a provider is unable to collect specimen or if a person is under/uninsured or does not have access to a health care provider, DPH/OIDE will coordinate specimen collection with one of the Delaware Public Health Clinics, Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL), and the CDC, if a patient meets the criteria for a suspected case.
Antivirals
Antivirals should be considered for patients who may be at high risk of severe disease, refer to Interim Clinical Guidance for the Treatment of mpox.
Vaccine
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not encouraging vaccination against mpox for the broader public or for everyone who is sexually active. Delaware is currently offering vaccination to people at higher risk of exposure, including:
- Persons known or presumed to be exposed to someone with mpox in the last 14 days
- Certain individuals who have sex with men and who have had multiple sex partners within the past 14 days
- Those living with HIV or who are receiving HIV PrEP
- Immunocompromised persons (including those with cancer, solid organ or stem cell transplants, those taking immunosuppressive therapy, and individuals with autoimmune disease)
- Those treated for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the last six months
- Individuals traveling to an area with community spread of mpox cases
- Those engaging in high-risk activities, including sexual practices, that increase exposure to mpox, such as:
- Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and have had multiple, or any, anonymous sexual partners in a social network experiencing mpox activity, this includes meeting partners through an online website, digital application (“app”), or social event (e.g., a bar or party)
- Transgender women or nonbinary persons assigned male at birth who have sex with men
- Sex workers (of any sexual orientation/gender)
- Staff (of any sexual orientation/gender) at establishments where sexual activity occurs (e.g., bathhouses, saunas, sex clubs)
- People who fall into any of the identified high-risk categories who are also experiencing homelessness or incarceration
- People, particularly adolescent or young adult males, might consider waiting 4 weeks after mpox vaccination before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, because of the unknown risk for myocarditis and/or pericarditis after JYNNEOS. The CDC is not recommending vaccination for the general public or for all sexually active persons. To reduce their risk of contracting or spreading mpox, individuals should limit direct contact with anyone with a concerning rash, limiting the number of intimate partners, talking openly with intimate contacts about recent behaviors, and not sharing bedding, towels and eating or drinking utensils with anyone who does.
The JYNNEOS EUA allows use of the vaccine in individuals less than 18 years old without providing a minimum age. There is limited data for those 5 months and younger. When considering post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for a child or adolescent, clinicians should first consult their jurisdictional health department (Jurisdictional Contacts). Jurisdictional health departments can facilitate consultation with CDC for guidance regarding pediatric use of JYNNEOS vaccine or other PEP modalities, when needed.
All requests for vaccines should be sent to DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (OIDE) at 302-744-4990 (business hours) or 1-888-295-5156 (24/7). OIDE business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
All wasted vials must be reported using the vaccine return form to the Immunizations Program. Only vials are reported as waste and not doses, for example if a vial has been broken it would be reported as waste. If a vial only contained three doses instead of five, then the provider does NOT need to report the two doses that were not able to be pulled as waste.
All provider requests to administer mpox vaccine should be the same as the request for test kits and be sent to OEMS using the SHOC form.
Reporting of Cases
All suspected cases should be reported to OIDE
Once OIDE is notified of a suspected/confirmed mpox case, they will help to facilitate obtaining vaccine and antiviral supply through the CDC and the Investigational New Drug (IND) application process. A SHOC Resource Request form must be completed by facility requesting vaccine/antivirals.
All suspected cases should be reported to OIDE at 302-744-4990
OIDE Business hours (Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm)
After hours/Weekends/holidays
To report after hours or on weekends or holidays, fill out Morbidity Card and send to reportdisease@delaware.gov
Please include details on where the specimen is located (i.e. specify hospital campus, building) and the estimated time when it will be ready for pickup by courier services.
CDC Announcements
Update for Clinicians on Testing and Treatment for mpox 7.28.2022
Resources
- Infection Prevention and Control of mpox in Healthcare Settings
- Preparation and Collection of Specimens
- Isolation and Prevention Guidelines
- Monitoring People Who Have Been Exposed
- CDC Handwashing Sheets: English | Español | French | Hatian Creole
News
View more news on news.delaware.gov
Read more at news.delaware.gov
