Updated August 9, 2022

You have likely read or watched news stories in recent weeks about increasing numbers of people being infected with monkeypox. According to the CDC, there have been just over 4,900 confirmed cases. in the United States. There have been no deaths in the United States and only six reported deaths (five in countries on the continent of Africa and one in Brazil).

While deaths are not common, the CDC has issued guidance that may be useful to have on hand should deaths become more widespread: 

• Autopsy and Handling of Human Remains: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/autopsy.html 
• Infection Prevention and Control of Monkeypox in Healthcare Settings: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/clinicians/infection-control-healthcare.html (while the title of this guidance states it is for healthcare settings, the principles surrounding disinfection would apply to funeral homes/prep rooms). 

NFDA confirmed with one of the profession’s preeminent embalming experts, Vernie Fountain, that this advice is solid. Vernie noted that following universal precautions while using a formaldehyde solution should kill the monkeypox virus. He recommends embalmers use the same kinds of disinfectants used during the COVID outbreak (see CDC infection protection guidance for more information). 

You can find general information about Monkeypox, including signs and symptoms, prevention, information about how it spreads, etc., on the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox.

Should we receive any additional information that may be useful to you, we will share it with you.