Wastewater Analysis of Mpox Virus in a City with Low Prevalence of Mpox Disease: An Environmental Surveillance Study

Details

• Personal Author:
  Balliew J ; Bauer CX ; Boerwinkle E ; Brown EL ; Chavarria C ; Cregeen SJ ; Deegan J ; Gitter A ; Hanson BM ; Maresso AW ; Mena KD ; Monserrat C ; Ocaranza HI ; Oghuan J ; Ojaruega AA ; Rios J ; Tisza M ; Vanderwal SR ; Wu F
• Description:
  Background: Tracking infectious diseases at the community level is challenging due to asymptomatic infections and the logistical complexities of mass surveillance. Wastewater surveillance has emerged as a valuable tool for monitoring infectious disease agents including SARS-CoV-2 and Mpox virus. However, detecting the Mpox virus in wastewater is particularly challenging due to its relatively low prevalence in the community. In this study, we aim to characterize three molecular assays for detecting and tracking the Mpox virus in wastewater from El Paso, Texas, during February and March 2023. Methods: In this study, a combined approach utilizing three real-time PCR assays targeting the C22L, F3L, and F8L genes and sequencing was employed to detect and track the Mpox virus in wastewater samples. The samples were collected from four sewersheds in the City of El Paso, Texas, during February and March 2023. Wastewater data was compared with reported clinical case data in the city. Findings: Mpox virus DNA was detected in wastewater from all the four sewersheds, whereas only one Mpox case was reported during the sampling period. Positive signals were still observed in multiple sewersheds after the Mpox case was identified. Higher viral concentrations were found in the pellet than in the supernatant of wastewater. Notably, an increasing trend in viral concentration was observed approximately 1-2 weeks before the reporting of the Mpox case. Further sequencing and epidemiological analysis provided supporting evidence for unreported Mpox infections in the city. Interpretation: Our analysis suggests that the Mpox cases in the community is underestimated. The findings emphasize the value of wastewater surveillance as a public health tool for monitoring infectious diseases even in low-prevalence areas, and the need for heightened vigilance to mitigate the spread of Mpox disease for safeguarding global health. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communicable Diseases Epidemiology Occupational Health Public Health Safety Viral Diseases
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Mpox Virus City Of El Paso Early Detection Infectious Diseases Low Prevalence Monitoring Systems Monkeypox Mpox Public Health Surveillance Viral Infections Wastewater-based Epidemiology

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• ISSN:
  2667-193X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 6 ; Texas
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  28
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20069629
• Citation:
  Lancet Reg Health Am 2023 Dec; 28:100639
• Contact Point Address:
  Kristina D. Mena, 5130 Gateway Boulevard East, MCA 308, El Paso, Texas, USA
• Email:
  Kristina.D.Mena@uth.tmc.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• Performing Organization:
  University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  The Lancet Regional Health. Americas
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f44133ed9f1a402c2bf4c537fc2fb496d858584d67ad020f19e208b9760c9ff7977a06f23e99aada5d76f02f660822ad0720371f2bbac0b4d7089c940bc7d640
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208019/cdc_208019_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 878.00 KB ]