Can I get tested for monkeypox?

Testing can be provided at Clay County Public Health Center on a case-by-case basis. No walk-ins will be accepted. Anyone who believes they have monkeypox symptoms (rash/lesions) should call Clay County Public Health Center at 816-595-4200.

To be tested at CCPHC and through the State Public Health Lab (SPHL), patients must have symptoms meet certain criteria*:   

  • Contact with a person or persons with a similar appearing rash or with a person who has received a diagnosis of confirmed or probable monkeypox OR   
  • Had close or intimate in-person contact with persons in a social network experiencing monkeypox infections. This includes meeting partners through an online website, digital application (“app”), or social event (e.g., a bar or party) OR   
  • Traveled, within 21 days of illness onset outside the United States to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where Monkeypox virus is endemic OR   
  • Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that is an African endemic species, or used a product derived from such animals (e.g., game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.)   


*What if I don’t meet requirements for testing? 

If you do not meet the requirements for testing through the SPHL but still want to be tested, contact a health care provider who will take a swab of your lesions and send to a commercial lab. There may be costs. Please check with your insurance company to see if they will cover the lab's testing. 

Commercial labs currently testing for monkeypox: 

  • Labcorp 
  • Quest 
  • Mayo Clinic 
  • Sonic Healthcare 
  • Aegis Sciences 

Show All Answers

1. What is monkeypox?
2. How is monkeypox spread?
3. Who can get monkeypox?
4. What should I do if I have a new or unexplained rash (or other symptoms)?
5. Can I get tested for monkeypox?
6. How can I get vaccinated against monkeypox?
7. Can I get the vaccine if I was exposed to monkeypox more than 14 days ago?
8. Can I get a vaccine to prevent monkeypox even if I have not been exposed, like if I plan to travel to an area that has monkeypox?
9. What can I do to protect myself?
10. How severe can monkeypox be?
11. Is monkeypox going to be another pandemic like COVID-19?
12. How can I learn more about monkeypox?