DOH: Mpox detected in wastewater sample from Pearl Harbor

Key Points:

• Hawaii Department of Health detected clade I mpox virus in a wastewater sample from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, marking the first detection of this clade in Hawaii's wastewater.
• Officials emphasize that the presence of the virus in wastewater does not confirm clinical cases or community spread, and the risk to the general public remains low.
• A follow-up wastewater sample from the same site tested negative, and all other major civilian wastewater samples on Oahu have also tested negative for clade I mpox.
• Clade I and clade II mpox spread through close contact with infected fluids or materials, not through casual or airborne contact; vaccination with JYNNEOS is recommended for those at higher risk.
• Health officials advise individuals who have traveled to areas with active mpox transmission or had close contact with symptomatic persons to monitor symptoms and seek medical advice promptly.