Monkeypox: CDC Guidance for Handling Contaminated Linens

Posted June 8, 2022 at 2:48 pm



TRSA recently updated its Infection Response Center online with information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health on how linens contaminated with the monkeypox virus should be handled.

The CDC has issued the following best practices for handling and laundering linens contaminated with the virus:

  • Hand hygiene (i.e., hand washing with soap and water or use of an alcohol-based hand rub) should be performed by infected persons and household contacts after touching lesion material, clothing, linens or environmental surfaces that may have had contact with lesion material.
  • Laundry (e.g., bedding, towels, clothing) may be washed in a standard washing machine with warm water and detergent; bleach may be added but is not necessary.
  • Care should be used when handling soiled laundry to avoid direct contact with contaminated material.
  • Soiled laundry should not be shaken or otherwise handled in a manner that may disperse infectious particles.

For more information, click here to visit TRSA’s Infection Response Center, which offers further insights into the recent monkeypox outbreak in addition to resources of interest to our industry regarding COVID-19.

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