U.S. Mpox Wastewater Data

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

Time Period: Info from CSV – Info from CSV

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.

Data Description:

Data are updated weekly.
Each dot on the map represents a wastewater site. A site can represent all or part of a sewershed, which is the geographic area contributing wastewater to a sampling location. Sewersheds may cross county or state boundaries.
Samples from some sites are tested for mpox virus at different laboratories that may use different collection and testing methods. These sites have more than one dot on the map with the same sewershed number followed by a different letter. These sites may have different detection categories for the different dots.
Not all communities report wastewater data to CDC. Participation is voluntary. Wastewater samples are collected from sewer systems, so communities that rely primarily on septic systems are not represented.

Dot Locations:

Data are plotted in the ZIP code of the sampling location, so dots on the map do not correspond exactly to sampling locations.

Data Sources:

Data are from the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS).

Laboratory Methods:

Mpox virus in wastewater is detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) or digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) tests. Different laboratories may use different testing methods.