Monkeypox and Transfusion Safety

Abstract

In May of 2022, a multinational outbreak of monkeypox was recognized. It expanded rapidly and over the following three-plus months, more than 50,000 cases were reported from 100 countries, largely among gay or bisexual men. The causative agent is a poxvirus, related to smallpox and vaccinia viruses. Available information implies that the virus might be transfusion-transmissible, although no cases had been reported by late August, 2022. Current data are reviewed, and the potential impacts of transfusion transmission are discussed, along with potential interventions.