New evidence of Mpox has been revealed in recent wastewater testing in Palm Springs but it is unknown how many residents may have been infected, a city news release said.
At this point, no new cases of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) have been reported to Riverside County Public Health; nor have there been any reports since December, according to the news release. This testing, which covers May 1 to May 8, marks the first time since late February that Mpox has revealed its presence in wastewater, the city said. While the test results are a reminder of the potential threat, the release said, they do not indicate how far the virus has traveled from its point of origin.
City Manager Scott Stiles said Palm Springs will keep residents apprised of any new developments as officials keep monitoring the virus.
"The data provides us with a good opportunity to remind the public that Mpox is still active in our community and there are easy steps that can be taken to protect each of us," Director of Public Health Kim Saruwatari said. "There are services available, including testing and a very effective vaccine, that can help slow and stop the spread of Mpox. Educating yourself about the virus is also critical to preventing the spread of Mpox."
The city is taking a careful approach to statistics, noting that what they have is only a snapshot of data at a particular moment in time, which is best used to identify patterns, rather than focus on specific numbers. For example, a trend that continues to increase or decrease over consecutive weeks would be noteworthy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes Mpox is an infection transmitted through direct contact with infected individuals or animals, such as rodents or monkeys. Those who contract Mpox typically show fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes, but more severe complications cannot be ruled out. Another hallmark of Mpox is a rash that surfaces on various parts of the body, including the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth and areas near the genitals. During the three to 17 days the virus takes to incubate, an individual may demonstrate no symptoms and may feel well.