Tracing the transmission of mpox through wastewater surveillance in Southeast Asia
Dhammika Leshan Wannigama, Mohan Amarasiri, Phatthranit Phattharapornjaroen, Cameron Hurst, Charin Modchang, Sudarat Chadsuthi, Suparinthon Anupong, Kazuhiko Miyanaga, Longzhu Cui, Wanwara Thuptimdang, Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini Rad, Stefan Fernandez, Angkana T. Huang, Porames Vatanaprasan, Dylan John Jay, Thammakorn Saethang, Sirirat Luk-in, Robin James Storer, Puey Ounjai, Naveen Kumar Devanga Ragupathi, Phitsanuruk Kanthawee, Daisuke Sano, Takashi Furukawa, Kazunari Sei, Asada Leelahavanichkul, Talerngsak Kanjanabuch, Paul G. Higgins, Asuka Nanbo, Anthony Kicic, Andrew C. Singer, Tanittha Chatsuwan, Sam Trowsdale, Richard Siow, Kenji Shibuya, Shuichi Abe, Hitoshi Ishikawa, Parichart Hongsing
Abstract
High population density and tourism in Southeast Asia increase the risk of mpox due to frequent interpersonal contacts. Our wastewater surveillance in six Southeast Asian countries revealed positive signals for Monkeypox virus (MPXV) DNA, indicating local transmission. This alerts clinicians and helps allocate resources like testing, vaccines and therapeutics in resource-limited countries.