Three new cases of mpox have been identified in Victoria in the past fortnight, prompting a reminder for those most at risk to be aware of symptoms and get tested immediately should they develop.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker said the cases were acquired locally and not linked to returned overseas travellers.
“While the current outbreak has predominantly impacted men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close and usually prolonged intimate contact with someone with mpox is at risk,” Dr Looker said.
Symptoms can occur up to 21 days after being exposed, and include rash, fever, chills, tiredness, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, as well as pain on urination, bloody stools and diarrhoea.
The rash may be painful and may appear as fluid or pus-filled pockets of tissue which can affect any part of the body, including the genitals.
A global outbreak of mpox started in 2022 and it continues to spread in many countries. Consequently, there remains an ongoing risk of local outbreaks in Victoria from undetected local transmission and returned travellers.
Victoria recorded 70 cases of mpox in 2022. With increased awareness and the Victorian mpox vaccination program, that number fell to eight in 2023.
There have been 5 cases so far this year in Victoria.
Dr Looker urged anyone who is eligible and not fully vaccinated to make an appointment with an immunisation provider, as free vaccines are widely available through sexual health clinics, hospitals, GPs, community pharmacies and some local councils.
“You need two doses of the mpox vaccine for optimal protection,” she said.
“If you have not had a second dose, get it now – vaccination reduces the severity of disease and your risk of transmission.”
Information and advice on mpox are available on the Better Health ChannelExternal Link and at Thorne Harbour HealthExternal Link. To find a vaccine provider, visit our Mpox (monkeypox) page.
