Relationship dynamics and behavioral adaptations in the control of the 2022 mpox epidemic.

We analyzed the patterns of transmission in the 2022 clade IIb mpox epidemic as it unfolded in the European population of men who have sex with men (MSM). We developed an agent-based model that simulates sexual pair formation, incorporating both brief and longer-term sexual relationships. The model implements survey data on the sexual behavior of MSM and accounts for the highly heterogeneous nature of the sexual contact network within this community.