The same wastewater surveillance techniques that have emerged as a critical tool in early detection of COVID-19 outbreaks are being adapted for use in monitoring the startling spread of monkey pox across the U.S.
There are a growing number of sewage surveillance projects run jointly by universities, public health agencies, and utilities with findings provided to state and federal agencies.
A once-obscure virus endemic to remote regions of Africa that in a matter of months has infected more than 26,000 people globally and more than 7,000 across the U.S.
The Biden administration in August has declared the monkey pox outbreak a public health emergency.
The Superintendent met with the UConn research team in August to plan for influent testing.
The Health Director was notified of this intention. Beginning in May 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported in more than 50 countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the United States. Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder; and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
For the most up-to-date number of monkeypox cases in Connecticut and throughout the United States, please visit the CDC website.
