Vaccinia Virus Infection After Sexual Contact With a Military Smallpox Vaccinee—Washington, 2010

On March 1, 2010, the Washington State Department of Health notified Public Health--Seattle & King County of a suspected case of contact transmission of vaccinia virus from sexual contact with a member of the military who had been vaccinated against smallpox. Vaccinia virus infection after sexual contact has been reported previously. Despite the patient's exposure history and clinical presentation, the diagnosis initially was not considered by the patient's physician, who ordered laboratory testing for several common sexually transmitted infections. Here, Pauk et al describe the patient's clinical course and the associated epidemiologic investigation. Moreover, a CDC editorial notes is included.