NJ Has Denied Most Monkeypox Test Requests, But Says There's No Shortage

NEW JERSEY — Much like very early in the COVID-19 pandemic, securing a monkeypox test features plenty of hurdles. State health authorities have denied the majority of the small number of monkeypox tests requested for patients, according to data from the New Jersey Department of Health that Patch received.

But despite reports of nationwide testing shortages and worries that the federal response mirrors the nation's early missteps in fighting COVID, the New Jersey Department of Health says it has the resources it needs to fight the monkeypox outbreak at is current stage.

New Jersey has tallied four probable monkeypox cases as of Friday. But so far, not many people have requested tests, and the majority of people seeking approval for tests have been denied, according to figures from the state health department.

The state has enough reagents to conduct about 420 orthopoxvirus tests, which can detect monkeypox, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Health told Patch on Thursday. As of that time, health professionals have administered 16 tests in the state, while officials have denied 29 testing requests.

But a state health department spokesperson says New Jersey's current testing supply "is adequate to meet the current testing demand."

"While there may be some cases the Department is unaware of, unlike COVID-19, monkeypox is transmitted with the onset of symptoms, and there is a very characteristic rash," spokesperson Nancy Kearney told Patch via email. "The Department encourages the public and healthcare providers to be cautious of new rashes and avoid close contact with persons who are ill and have a new rash. People who have potentially been exposed to monkeypox or are exhibiting symptoms should consult a healthcare provider."

The state health department denies testing requests for several reasons.

"When reviewing test requests," Kearney said, "the Department considers the epidemiology (ie, were there known exposures or activities that put the individual at risk) and the clinical presentation to determine how likely monkeypox will be. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis." (The parentheticals are part of Kearney's statement and not a clarification that Patch added.)

The demand for monkeypox tests pales in comparison to the demand for COVID tests since the pandemic began. But case totals continue to grow amid the outbreak. New York City health officials added more than a dozen suspected monkeypox infections to its tally Thursday, bringing the city to 78 total suspected cases. The latest additions mean New York City's case count more than doubled in the past week.

Monkeypox, which is usually contained to central and west Africa, is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically spreads by skin-to-skin contact. Infections can cause flu-like symptoms as well as swelling of the lymph nodes and a rash. The rash usually contains bumps that initially fill with fluid before scabbing over, according to the CDC.

The symptoms could be confused with those of chicken pox or a sexually transmitted disease, such as syphilis or herpes. Infections can last up to four weeks.

Federal health officials launched a plan this week to begin making orthopoxvirus vaccines more readily available. But areas with the highest case totals and those most at-risk of the illness remain priorities for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Finding out if you have monkeypox, meanwhile, isn't a quick process. The state health department advises people exhibiting symptoms and those potentially exposed to monkeypox, to consult a health care provider. The agency asks providers to report any suspected cases to their local health department.

Monkeypox tests are available at the New Jersey Department of Health's testing labs, but the state agency must approve tests before specimens get sent. Tests in the state labs will produce a result within 24 hours, according to a state health department advisory. But those tests are considered "presumptive positive" and sent to the CDC for confirmation.

See the state health department's monkeypox page for more info.