The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and affected state and local health departments across the U.S. continue to respond to the ongoing global outbreak of the monkeypox virus. Rapid diagnostic testing can reduce the risk of additional disease transmission by ensuring prompt implementation of public health interventions, including release of medical countermeasures (antiviral drugs and vaccines) and contact tracing.
In alignment with national efforts to increase testing, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is adopting streamlined procedures to promote ease of access to Orthopoxvirus testing through the ODH Laboratory. View the ODH Health Alert for more information about clinical recognition of monkeypox disease, instructions for specimen collection, storage, and shipping, and general infection control considerations.