Laboratory Testing for Monkeypox Virus

Jan. 29, 2026

Monkeypox is diagnosed using real-time PCR tests available through health department and many large commercial laboratories.
You can minimize the risk of laboratory transmission when testing routine clinical specimens from confirmed or suspected monkeypox patients.
CDC has procedures, recommendations, and resources to help keep healthcare and laboratory workers safe when collecting samples and testing for monkeypox virus.

Laboratory worker in special personal protective equipment for working with virus that causes mpox

Overview

Timely and comprehensive laboratory testing and results reporting is a critical piece of the public health response to monkeypox.

These data help public health officials understand more about the spread of monkeypox virus (MPXV). Any laboratory that performs diagnostic testing for monkeypox should report test results to state, tribal, local, or territorial health departments. This includes real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for orthopoxvirus, non-variola orthopoxvirus (NVO), or MPXV.

Reporting results and biosafety

Results Reporting for Orthopoxvirus, Non-Variola Orthopoxvirus, and Monkeypox Virus Diagnostic Testing

Timely laboratory testing and results reporting is critical to monkeypox public health efforts.

Laboratory Biosafety for Handling and Processing Monkeypox Specimens

Laboratory guidance for safely working with suspected or confirmed monkeypox virus specimens.

Technical assistance

Email poxvirus@cdc.gov for technical assistance from CDC laboratory staff.

Important information

Confirmed clade I MPXV is classified as a Tier 1 Select Agent, and some specific federal regulations and guidelines apply to work conducted with the virus. Clade II MPXV no longer is classified as a Select Agent.

Report all qualitative results unless otherwise specified by the applicable health department. Report positive results use standardized LOINC and SNOMED-CT codes within 24 hours of testing to the appropriate health department.

As with all biological agents, laboratory safety is of the utmost importance. Consult the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th Edition for more information about handling MPXV. The BMBL and ACIP also have recommendations for vaccination for laboratorians working with MPXV.