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Mpox – information for you as an employer
Mpox is a viral disease that was previously known as Monkeypox and has spread to several countries in Africa. Sweden has had a few confirmed cases, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden. Here we have gathered current information for you as an employer.
Mpox is a rare disease and can cause blisters and fever, among other symptoms. It is uncommon for someone to become seriously ill, and the symptoms usually resolve on their own. Both the Public Health Agency of Sweden and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assess that the risk to the general population in Europe is very low.
At Falck, we receive many questions about how you as an employer can think and act regarding Mpox. We follow the recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Sweden, and they have not issued any recommendations to the public. Therefore, we refer you primarily to the Public Health Agency of Sweden's website for current information regarding Mpox.
The Public Health Agency of Sweden
Questions and answers about Mpox
We have gathered questions and answers that may be relevant for you as an employer. The information may change if the Public Health Agency of Sweden provides new information and recommendations.
What should you do if you suspect an mpox infection?
Mpox is classified as a notifiable and contact-tracing disease, which means that a person who suspects they have been infected must seek medical care. All cases of Mpox must be reported to the regional infectious disease control doctor and to the Public Health Agency of Sweden.
How should you act if you encounter a person who is infected?
The employee should avoid physical contact with the infected person. Encourage the infected person to seek medical care and/or to go home to avoid the risk of infecting others.
When should I offer vaccination to employees?
The Public Health Agency recommends that individuals who have an increased risk of exposure to Mpox, such as laboratory employees working with cultures or concentrated amounts of infectious monkeypox virus, should be offered the vaccine.
Additionally, individuals traveling to a geographic area with ongoing community transmission of Mpox and who may be at particular risk of exposure should be offered the vaccine. This may be relevant for healthcare employees, those working in refugee camps, aid workers, or others intending to stay in areas with ongoing transmission.
Can transmission occur through indirect contact?
It cannot be ruled out that the infection is spread via indirect contact and therefore always recommends careful hand hygiene.
Can transmission occur through bedding during an overnight stay?
There have been a small number of cases of indirect transmission of the virus, such as through bedding and towels.
Can the spread of Mpox be prevented in the workplace?
Be generally cautious during personal contacts, use protective gloves when necessary, and ensure thorough hand hygiene, which means essentially following standard hygiene measures.
Can hand sanitizer prevent transmission of Mpox?
Yes, hand sanitizer can prevent transmission of Mpox.
Do face masks prevent infection from Mpox?
Mpox spreads through contact and is not airborne. Therefore, face masks are likely to have very limited protective value.
Does Falck offer vaccine against Mpox?
Currently Falck does not offer vaccination against Mpox.
Are there self-tests for Mpox?
No, there are currently no self-tests for Mpox. Testing of suspected cases is only carried out at healthcare providers who have routines for contact tracing and rules of conduct in the event of a positive test result.