Evaluation of Public Health Contact Tracing for Mpox Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men—10 US Jurisdictions, May 17–July 31, 2022

Abstract

Objectives. To examine the potential impact of contact tracing to identify contacts and prevent mpox transmission among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) as the outbreak expanded. Methods. We assessed contact tracing outcomes from 10 US jurisdictions before and after access to the mpox vaccine was expanded from postexposure prophylaxis for persons with known exposure to include persons at high risk for acquisition (May 17–June 30, 2022, and July 1–31, 2022, respectively). Results. Overall, 1986 mpox cases were reported in MSM from included jurisdictions (240 before expanded vaccine access; 1746 after expanded vaccine access). Most MSM with mpox were interviewed (95.0% before vaccine expansion and 97.0% after vaccine expansion); the proportion who named at least 1 contact decreased during the 2 time periods (74.6% to 38.9%). Conclusions. During the period when mpox cases among MSM increased and vaccine access expanded, contact tracing became less efficient at identifying exposed contacts. Public Health Implications. Contact tracing was more effective at identifying persons exposed to mpox in MSM sexual and social networks when case numbers were low, and it could be used to facilitate vaccine access. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(7):815–818. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307301 )

Prevention of sexual transmission of mpox: a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis of approaches

“…We identified three studies meeting the inclusion criteria for question 1 (see Table 1 ). One retrospective observational study conducted in the US [ 16 ] examined contact tracing, while the other two cross-sectional studies [ 17 , 18 ] investigated specific sexual behaviours. All three studies included exclusively male participants, predominantly MSM, who self-reported their sexual behaviour.…”

“…The study by Cope et al. [ 16 ] investigated the effectiveness of contact tracing in curbing mpox transmission among MSM, particularly after the expansion of access to mpox vaccines. They found a significant reduction in proportion of MSM with mpox who provided location details for their sexual contacts after the vaccination campaign began.…”

“…We found only limited data on the benefits of contact tracing [ 16 ], with the sharing of information about contacts by patients declining once vaccines become available. Furthermore, qualitative evidence offers important context regarding the limits of contact tracing due to concern about stigma and in some instances due to the anonymous nature of some sexual contacts [ 33 ].…”

Evaluation of mpox contact tracing activities and data collection in EU/EEA countries during the 2022 multicountry outbreak in nonendemic countries

“…6 Contact tracing is one of the tools used to control infectious disease outbreaks like mpox. [7][8][9][10] Its purpose is to identify and isolate new cases to interrupt transmission chains. Moreover, persons who have been exposed to a case or are likely to be exposed in the future based on risk factors can be identified through contact tracing and offered prevention strategies, such as risk reduction counseling, vaccination, and postexposure prophylaxis.…”

“…The legally binding International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 require countries to have the ability to detect, report, and respond to infectious health threats 6 . Contact tracing is one of the tools used to control infectious disease outbreaks like mpox 7‐10 . Its purpose is to identify and isolate new cases to interrupt transmission chains.…”