#Mpox

A recent discovery in Greenville, North Carolina has put public health surveillance techniques in the spotlight: wastewater samples from a local sewage plant have tested positive for Mpox, the virus formerly known as monkeypox, specifically identifying the clade I strain. The samples, collected between late March and early April, point to the potential presence of the virus in the community, even though no clinical Mpox cases have been officially reported so far. Local health officials are now urging healthcare providers to be vigilant for possible symptoms and to quickly report any suspected infections (WRAL; ABC11).

Wastewater testing in Greenville, North Carolina has detected Mpox, specifically the clade I strain, in samples collected from late March to early April. While no clinical Mpox cases have been officially reported in the area, health officials stress vigilance among clinicians and rapid reporting of suspected infections. This development underscores wastewater-based surveillance as a powerful tool for early outbreak detection.

Thailand and other countries watching infectious diseases should take note. Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) gained prominence during the COVID-19 era and continues to reveal hidden viral activity by capturing signals from individuals who are pre-symptomatic or have mild infections. According to experts in North Carolina, the presence of clade I mpox virus in wastewater suggests the virus may be circulating locally, even without confirmed cases.