Provision of methodological support for UKHSA mpox studies

As part of its response to the mpox outbreak, UKHSA initiated several studies to understand the transmission routes and patterns of infection.

• RiiSH-mpox builds on the now established RiiSH study, developed through HPRU-1 and expanded through the current HPRU with modification to collect information on the sexual health and wellbeing, use of sexual health service (SHS) and sexual behaviours before/during the outbreak.
• The PResymptomatic asymptomatic MonkEypox (PRIME) study aimed to provide information on symptomatic mpox infection.
• The Prevalence of Monkeypox infection in England (SeroEpi) Study is an analysis of retrospectively and prospectively collected samples from gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) attending SHS and the general population to better understand the timing and extent of the outbreak.

For each study, the HPRU was approached to provide methodological/subject-specific expertise to support protocol development, funding applications, implementation and interpretation of findings.

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