PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. \u2014 The Washington State Department of Health and the University of Washington have detected the clade I mpox virus, also known as monkeypox, in Pierce County wastewater. <\/p>\n
The discovery, made on Sept. 24, has prompted the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to collaborate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the state health department to increase wastewater testing.<\/p>\n
SEE ALSO | WHO declares global emergency as monkeypox spreads in Africa, calling for urgent aid<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Currently, no patients with clade I mpox have been reported in Pierce County. The CDC reports that six cases of clade I mpox have been identified in the United States, all of which are linked to recent travel to countries experiencing outbreaks. <\/p>\n There has been no sustained transmission of clade I mpox in the U.S.<\/p>\n Dr. James Miller, Health Officer for Tacoma-Pierce County, emphasized the importance of public health vigilance. “This is a rare occurrence, and also a great example of how public health keeps a close eye on disease spread to assess risk and inform the community when needed,” he said. <\/p>\n Dr. Miller reassured the public that the risk remains low and advised individuals with symptoms to consult their healthcare providers.<\/p>\n Healthcare providers are encouraged to consider mpox in patients presenting with a rash consistent with the virus and to evaluate their travel history. All mpox cases should be reported to the Health Department. <\/p>\n Wastewater testing is being used alongside traditional clinical reporting to detect the presence of clade I mpox early.<\/p>\n