Trends in Online Search Activity and the Correlation with Daily New Cases of Monkeypox among 102 Countries or Territories

Abstract

Research assessing the trend in online search activity on monkeypox (mpox) and the correlation with the mpox epidemic at the global and national level is scarce. The trend of online search activity and the time-lag correlations between it and daily new mpox cases were estimated by using segmented interrupted time-series analysis and Spearman correlation coefficient (rs), respectively. We found that after the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the proportion of countries or territories with increasing changes in online search activity was lowest in Africa (8.16%, 4/49), and a downward trend in online search activity was highest in North America (8/31, 25.81%). The time-lag effect of global online search activity on daily new cases was significant (rs = 0.24). There were eight countries or territories with significant time-lag effect; the top three countries or territories were Brazil (rs = 0.46), United States (rs = 0.24), and Canada (rs = 0.24). Interest behavior in mpox was insufficient, even after the declaration of PHEIC, especially in Africa and North America. Online search activity could be used as an early indicator of the outbreak of mpox at the global level and in epidemic countries.

Mpox Vaccination Hesitancy and Its Associated Factors among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China: A National Observational Study

“…Additionally, even for physicians, only nearly one in three of them achieved a good level of knowledge [ 30 ]. Our previous studies found that the number of mpox cases was positively related with online search activity worldwide [ 31 , 32 ]. Therefore, China should promote health education on mpox-related knowledge and correct false information via multiple platforms, including Wechat, Weibo, or short-video platforms, when mpox cases are reported.…”