A 50-year-old man who recently returned to Sydney from Queensland is the second person diagnosed with monkeypox in NSW and the third in Australia.
Smallpox virus, illustration. Smallpox viruses are oval in shape and have double-stranded DNA. (Source: Getty)
The man developed a mild illness several days after arriving home. She visited her GP before going to the hospital, where tests confirmed she had smallpox, NSW Health said.
It is the second case detected in NSW and is unrelated to the first case, which was reported on May 20th.
The man is receiving hospital care.
A 30-year-old man tested positive for monkeypox in Victoria after experiencing mild symptoms on May 16.
Another 40-year-old man became infected after returning from Europe. NSW Health reported a positive case on May 20.
The latter case lives alone and NSW Health has not identified any high-risk contacts that need to be isolated.
Several people who had low-level contact with the man have been told to control their symptoms.
NSW Health Director Kerry Chant said the general population should not worry about the monkeypox virus, which is rare and not easily spread from person to person.
“NSW Health is providing more information to doctors across the state today to help identify and manage possible cases of monkeypox,” Dr. Chant said.
“We will continue to work with GPs, hospitals and sexual health services across the state to provide advice on diagnosis and referral.”
NSW Health is working with Queensland Health to identify any possible transmission.
The community health charity ACON has advised men who have sex with men who are alert to symptoms.
“It’s important that we stay informed and stay aware of ourselves when it comes to our health,” said ACON CEO Nicholas Parkhill.
“We know that people in our communities already have strong health-seeking behavior when it comes to caring for their sexual health, so please continue to monitor for symptoms, including unusual rashes or injuries.”
Parkhill advised people to keep in touch for their sexual contact, especially in the presence of monkeypox.
“The situation is evolving and being able to contact your sexual contacts in case the need arises will help stop the spread,” Parkhill said.