DOH detected Mpox in Oahu wastewater sample
Hawaii News Now • • health
Key Points:
- Hawaii health officials detected clade I mpox in a wastewater sample from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu, marking the first such finding in the state.
- No clinical cases of clade I mpox have been reported in Hawaii, and the overall public risk remains low according to the Department of Health.
- Detection in wastewater serves as an early monitoring tool and does not confirm active infections or community spread; follow-up samples have tested negative.
- Both clade I and clade II mpox spread similarly and can be prevented by the same measures, including vaccination with the JYNNEOS vaccine for those at higher risk.
- Health officials advise people who have traveled to areas with active mpox transmission or had close contact with symptomatic individuals to monitor their health and seek medical advice if necessary.
