Interim CDC Case Definition for Animal Cases of Monkeypox
Epidemiologic Criteria
- Within 21 days of clinical sign appearance: animal had close contact with a probable or confirmed human or animal monkeypox case
- Close contact includes petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, sharing sleeping areas, and sharing food
Clinical Criteria
- Rash or poxvirus-like lesions (macular, papular, vesicular, or pustular; generalized or localized; discrete or confluent)
Other possible clinical signs:
- Conjunctivitis with or without ocular secretion
- Coryza (crusty nose) and/or nasal secretions
- Cough
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Labored breathing
- Bloating
- Fever
Case Classification
Suspect Case
- Meets the epidemiologic criteria, AND
- Rash OR two or more other clinical signs
Probable Case
- Meets the epidemiologic criteria, AND
- Presence of anti-orthopox IgG antibodies by ELISA*
Confirmed Case
- Isolation of Monkeypox virus in culture from a clinical specimen OR demonstration of presence of Monkeypox virus DNA by polymerase chain reaction testing or Next-Generation sequencing of a clinical specimen
* There is a lack of data regarding the timing of anti-orthopoxvirus IgG antibody production in most animal species, however this is generally thought to be detectable between 2-4 weeks post exposure and remain detectable for months or years.
Page last reviewed: June 3, 2022