Two confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported in Australia: one in NSW and one in Victoria. Both cases are associated with travel abroad from Europe. No cases have been reported to the ACT at this time.
Smallpox is a rare viral infection that does not spread easily among people. To date, most cases of monkeypox have occurred in Central or West Africa.
Cases of smallpox have been identified in several non-endemic countries in recent weeks, including several European countries, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.
ACT health director Kerryn Coleman said it was important to remember that monkeypox was rare and did not spread easily among people, usually requiring direct skin-to-skin or prolonged face-to-face contact.
“The disease associated with the smallpox virus is usually mild, although complications can occur,” said Dr. Coleman.
“Symptoms initially include fever, chills, muscle aches, back pain and swollen lymph nodes.
“After these symptoms, a rash usually develops that spreads to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through stages, such as chickenpox, before it finally becomes a crust.
“If you have these symptoms, you should stay home and call your GP to arrange a telehealth appointment in the first instance, or you can call the Canberra Sexual Health Clinic at (02) 5124 2184.
“If you need to attend a face – to – face appointment as part of a diagnosis, you must wear a mask and cover the injuries.
“It is extremely rare to have monkeypox if someone has not traveled to endemic countries or has been in physical contact with a person who has monkeypox.”
A clinical alert had been issued to GPs and hospitals for advice on referral and diagnosis.
ACT Health is working closely with its jurisdictional counterparts and the Commonwealth Department of Health to monitor cases and ensure the best clinical and public health response to any other case.
To learn more about monkeypox, visit health.act.gov.au/monkeypox
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