Hawaii Department of Health Detects Mpox in Oahu Wastewater, Public Risk Remains Low
The Hawaii Department of Health has reported the detection of mpox in a wastewater sample collected on April 13 at a treatment facility on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Oahu. This marks the first time mpox has been identified in wastewater on the island. Despite this finding, health officials emphasize that no clinical cases of clade I mpox have been identified in Hawaii, and the overall risk to the public remains low. The detection in wastewater serves as an early indicator to monitor potential infections, rather than confirming active cases or community spread. The Department of Health was first notified of the detection on April 20, with confirmation received on April 24. A follow-up sample collected on April 20 tested negative, and other major wastewater facilities across Oahu continue to be monitored, with all recent samples testing negative. 
