U.S. Mpox Wastewater Data

National Wastewater Surveillance System

Communities can monitor the presence of mpox virus in wastewater samples. Data from samples can provide an early warning of mpox activity and spread in communities. For general information about wastewater surveillance, visit CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System site.

Mpox virus detection in wastewater in the past 4 weeks, United States

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Consistent detection

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Intermittent detection

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No detection

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No recent data

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Note: Click on a state to zoom in.

What can wastewater data for mpox tell us?

Detection categories:

  Consistent detection: Mpox virus was detected in more than 80% of samples in the past 4 weeks AND the most recent detection was within the past 2 weeks.

  Intermittent detection: Mpox virus was detected in 1% to 80% of samples in the past 4 weeks AND the most recent detection was within the past 2 weeks.

  No detection: Mpox virus was not detected in any samples from the site in the past 4 weeks OR the most recent detection was more than 2 weeks ago.

  No recent data: Too few samples were submitted (fewer than 3) in the past 4 weeks.

Interpretation:

Laboratory tests used for mpox wastewater surveillance can tell us if the virus’s genetic material (viral DNA) is in untreated community wastewater. The tests cannot tell us if there is infectious virus in wastewater, only that the virus’s genetic material is present. We do not know if mpox virus remains infectious, or for how long, in untreated wastewater. No detection of mpox virus in wastewater means there is no evidence from wastewater data that mpox is spreading in the local community. However, very low infection levels may be below the detection limit for wastewater testing. Intermittent or consistent detection means there are likely ongoing mpox infections in the community.

Currently, testing methodology varies between wastewater surveillance sites that test for mpox. All sites with mpox testing can detect the virus that causes mpox. Currently, no sites test for clade I mpox only. Some sites test for clade II mpox only, while other sites can detect both clades of the virus, though they do not distinguish between clade I and clade II mpox.