Mpox Virus Detected in Pitt County Wastewater – No Reported Cases at This Time
Pitt County health officials are urging awareness and caution after a type of mpox virus, known as clade I, was detected in wastewater samples collected in Greenville. The samples were collected on March 25, March 28, and April 8 through routine testing conducted by the North Carolina Wastewater Monitoring Network. This program monitors viruses in multiple communities, providing early detection of infections like COVID-19, flu, RSV, and now mpox. The virus found in wastewater is no longer infectious, but it shows that people in the area may be carrying the virus—even if they don’t have symptoms.
At this time, the risk to the public remains low and no cases of clade I mpox have been reported in North Carolina. However, this wastewater detection suggests there may have been at least one person with an undiagnosed or unreported infection in the area at the time.
“Finding the virus in wastewater doesn’t mean there is a community outbreak, but it does mean we need to stay alert,” said Wes Gray, Pitt County Health Director. “We encourage residents to learn the symptoms, take precautions, and get vaccinated if they are eligible.”
Mpox virus has two types: clade I and clade II. The clade II strain has been part of a more widely know outbreak, primarily affecting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Clade I mpox has mostly been seen in Central and Eastern Africa, spreading through heterosexual contact and occasionally affecting household members, including children. Vaccines are available to protect against mpox infection from both clade types and can reduce the severity of illness if an infection does occur. Information about vaccine recommendations and where to find vaccine is available on the NCDHHS mpox page.
Learn More About Mpox at NCDHHS Now.
Four clade I mpox cases have been reported in the U.S. (California, Georgia, New Hampshire, and New York) between November 2024 and February 2025. These were isolated travel-related cases with no sign of further spread. Mpox symptoms include:
- A rash on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or genital area
- Rash that resembles pimples or blisters, eventually scabbing and healing
- Fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes
If you think you may have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or the Pitt County Health Department at 252-902-2300.