What are the recommended isolation precautions for a patient with confirmed or suspected mpox, including home isolation measures, PPE for contacts, and criteria for ending isolation?

Patients with confirmed or suspected mpox should be placed in isolation immediately and remain isolated until all skin lesions have fully healed—meaning that all lesions have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off, and a new layer of intact skin has formed, which usually occurs 2‑4 weeks after symptom onset. At home, the patient should stay in a separate bedroom and use a separate bathroom if possible; all household members should wear a surgical mask when entering the patient’s room, practice strict hand hygiene, and avoid sharing linens, towels, or personal items. The patient should keep lesions covered with clean, dry dressings and change them daily using gloves, discarding waste in a sealed bag. Visitors should be prohibited, and any health‑care contacts must use standard, contact, and droplet precautions (gown, gloves, eye protection, and a fit‑tested N95 or higher respirator). If the patient cannot safely isolate at home because of living conditions or severe disease, admission to an isolation unit or negative‑pressure room in a health‑care facility is required. Close contacts should be monitored for 21 days for symptoms and advised to avoid close physical contact, especially sexual activity, during that period. If the patient develops worsening disease or complications, antiviral therapy (e.g., tecovirimat) can be considered under specialist supervision.