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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 men (MSM). We use a transmission model fitted to empirical sexual partnership data to show that the heavy-tailed sexual partnership distribution, in which a handful of individuals have disproportionately many partners, can explain the sustained growth of monkeypox among MSM despite the absence of such patterns previously. We suggest that the basic reproduction number (R0) for monkeypox over the MSM sexual network may be substantially above 1, which poses challenges to outbreak containment. Ensuring support and tailored messaging to facilitate prevention and early detection among MSM with high numbers of partners is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research by Akira Endo and colleagues on the epidemiology of the 2022 global outbreak of monkeypox. The research examines the heavy-tailed sexual partnership distribution among men who have sex with men (MSM), which may explain the sustained growth of the outbreak despite the absence of such patterns previously. It also mentions that ensuring support and tailored messaging to facilitate prevention and early detection among MSM with high numbers of partners is warranted.

The article discusses research on age-dependent effects of COVID-19 vaccine and effect of healthcare burden on COVID-19 deaths in Tokyo, Japan from January 1 to August 31, 2021. The study estimated COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against death and time-varying case-fatality risk (CFR) in SARS-CoV-2-positive persons according to age group using data published by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Research results compare the effect of healthcare burden on CFR in older and younger age groups.