Heavy-tailed sexual contact networks and monkeypox epidemiology in the global outbreak, 2022

• DOI: 10.1126/science.add4507
• Publication Date: 2022-09-22T18:02:08Z
• Authors: Akira Endo; Hiroaki Murayama; Sam Abbott; Ruwan Ratnayake; Carl A. B. Pearson; W. John Edmunds; Elizabeth Fearon; Sebastian Funk
• Keywords: Monkeypox; Basic reproduction number; Sexual contact

The outbreak of monkeypox across non-endemic regions confirmed in May 2022 shows epidemiological features distinct from previously imported outbreaks, most notably its observed growth and predominance amongst men who have sex with (MSM). We use a transmission model fitted to empirical sexual partnership data show that the heavy-tailed distribution, which handful individuals disproportionately many partners, can explain sustained among MSM despite absence such patterns previously. suggest basic reproduction number (