Isolation and Infection Control At Home

Overview

The following principles should be considered and adopted to the extent possible in the home setting.

The appropriateness of implementing isolation and infection control measures in a home setting is likely to vary depending on the following factors:

• The presence of additional infected or uninfected people or pets in the home
• The presence of young children (<e.g., children <1 year of age), people who are pregnant or immunocompromised, and individuals with a history of atopic dermatitis or eczema in the home who may be at increased risk for severe outcomes from mpox disease
• The ability of the person with mpox and other people in the home to adhere to recommended precautions

Isolation of people with mpox

People with mpox should follow these recommendations until mpox infection has resolved:

• Friends, family or others without an essential need to be in the home should not visit.
• Avoid close contact with others.
• Avoid close contact with pets in the home and other animals.
• Do not engage in sexual activity that involves direct physical contact.
• Do not share potentially contaminated items, such as bed linens, clothing, towels, wash cloths, drinking glasses or eating utensils.
• Routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and items, such as counters or light switches, using an EPA-registered disinfectant (such as List Q) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
• Wear well-fitting source control (e.g., medical mask) when in close contact with others at home.
• Avoid use of contact lenses to prevent inadvertent infection of the eye.
• Avoid shaving rash-covered areas of the body as this can lead to spread of the virus.

Bathroom usage

• If possible, use a separate bathroom if there are others who live in the same household.
• If there is not a separate bathroom in the home, the patient should clean and disinfect surfaces such as counters, toilet seats, faucets, using an EPA-registered disinfectant (such as List Q) after using a shared space. This may include during activities like showering, using the toilet, or changing bandages that cover the rash. Consider disposable glove use while cleaning if rash is present on the hands.

Limit exposure to others

• Avoid contact with unaffected individuals until the rash has resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed.
• Isolate in a room or area separate from other household members and pets when possible.
• Limit use of spaces, items, and food that are shared with other household members.
• Do not share dishes and other eating utensils. It is not necessary for the infected person to use separate utensils if properly washed. Wash soiled dishes and eating utensils in a dishwasher or by hand with warm water and soap.

Limit contamination within household

• Try to avoid contaminating upholstered furniture and other porous materials that cannot be laundered by placing coversheets, waterproof mattress covers, blankets, or tarps over these surfaces.
• Additional precautions such as steam cleaning can be considered if there is concern about contamination.

Considerations for isolating with animals in the home

• People with mpox should avoid contact with animals (specifically mammals), including pets.
  • If possible, friends or family members should care for healthy animals until the owner has fully recovered.
  • Keep any potentially infectious bandages, textiles (such as clothes, bedding) and other items away from pets, other domestic animals, and wildlife.
  • In general, any mammal may become infected with mpox. It is not thought that other animals such as reptiles, fish or birds can be infected.
• If you notice an animal that had contact with an infected person appears sick (such as lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, bloating, nasal or eye secretions or crust, fever, rash) contact the owner's veterinarian, state public health veterinarian, or state animal health official.

Hand hygiene, source control, and personal protective equipment

• Hand hygiene – the use of an alcohol-based hand rub or hand washing with soap and water – should be performed by people with mpox and household contacts after touching rash material, clothing, linens, or environmental surfaces that may have had contact with rash material.
• Cover all skin rashes to the extent possible by wearing long sleeves or long pants. Gloves can be considered for covering rash on the hands when not in isolation such as when receiving medical care.
• People with mpox should use well-fitting source control (e.g., medical mask), if close contact with others cannot be avoided, such as when receiving medical care.
• Other household members should wear a respirator or a well-fitting mask when in close contact (e.g., within 6 feet) with the person with mpox for more than a brief encounter.
• When possible, the person with mpox should change their own bandages and handle contaminated linens while wearing disposable gloves, followed by immediate handwashing after removing gloves.
  • As a last resort, if assistance is needed with these activities, a household member should avoid extensive contact and wear, at a minimum, disposable medical gloves and a well-fitting mask or respirator. Any clothing that contacts the rash during dressing changes should be immediately laundered. Gloves should be disposed of after use, followed by handwashing.
• Contain and dispose of contaminated waste, such as dressings, bandages, or disposable gloves. See Disinfecting Home and Other Non-Healthcare Settings.

Hand Hygiene Resources

• Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
• Hand Hygiene Interactive Training Course and Resources
• WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care
• MMWR: Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings

Household disinfection

CDC provides general guidance on cleaning and disinfecting non-healthcare settings, such as homes or cars, where an individual with mpox spent significant time.