Hospitalization Allows for Treatment with Experimental Antiviral for Monkeypox

Thursday, September 8th, 2022 -- 8:01 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) There have been several hospitalizations due to monkeypox in Wisconsin.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard said, “When hospitalization is necessary it's usually because of pain control, or to make sure that someone gets the dose of experimental antiviral treatment Tecovirimat. So it has happened but the majority have been self-limited, resolving on their own in the outpatient setting. But we have had several hospitalizations.”

“It's being recommended for people who have risk factors for very severe disease such as a very weak immune system or they have severe clinical manifestations such as skin lesions that are very painful that affect for example the eyes or the genitals.”

As of Tuesday, 63 cases of monkeypox have been reported, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. DHS is expanding vaccine eligibility criteria, and asking health care providers to reach out to communities of color which have been disproportionately affected by the virus.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.