Health officials issued an urgent warning after a highly infectious disease was detected in two states.
NSW Health confirmed three new locally acquired cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, were detected in the state this week.
There were 69 cases of mpox between May 2022 and January 2024, NSW Health said in a statement, but the three new cases are the first since January.
The new cases were confirmed this week and are linked to current interstate mpox outbreaks, bringing the total number of mpox cases identified in New South Wales to 72.
NSW Health is urging “gay, bisexual men and other men who have sex with men to be on the lookout for symptoms of mpox following the recent detection of new cases.”
NSW Health confirmed that three new locally acquired cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, were detected in the state this week (pictured is a person with a rash caused by monkeypox)
Health Protection chief executive Dr Jeremy McAnulty urged men who have sex with men to watch out for symptoms.
“If symptoms appear, see your GP or visit a sexual health clinic,” Dr McAnulty said.
‘The Mpox vaccine is recommended for all sexually active men who have sex with men, so get vaccinated if you haven’t already.
“It is important to note that two doses of vaccine are required, so anyone who has received only one dose should receive a second dose at least 28 days after the first.”
The mpox vaccine is free and you do not need a Medicare card to receive it.
Three men, one in his 20s, another in his 30s and another in his 50s, have been diagnosed with the virus, according to authorities, ensuring that the risk to the general public is low.
This is because transmission usually requires prolonged, close or intimate contact.
Last year, there were no cases in South Africa and only two in 2022, when the global outbreak occurred.
In 2024, there were 67 cases of mpox in the country, with 45 of these cases reported in Victoria.
Mpox’s name was changed due to claims that it was stigmatizing and racist.
Mpox is a viral infection that causes a rash, with symptoms including fever, chills, exhaustion, headache, muscle and back pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
Mpox is transmitted through contact with body fluids.
Symptoms can occur up to 21 days after exposure, and are spread through prolonged or close skin-to-skin contact, such as during sexual contact, contaminated items, or surfaces.
The mpox vaccine is available, and free vaccines are offered to eligible groups and to all gay, bisexual, or sexually active men who have sex with men.
Dr. Louise Flood, deputy director of the Division of Communicable Disease Control, encourages everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated.
‘The risk to the public is low. “Mpox does not spread easily from person to person without prolonged intimate or close contact,” he said.
“If you think you have mox, seek medical attention and get tested.”
What is Mpox?
Mpox is a zoonosis, which is a virus or disease that animals transmit to humans. This usually occurs in rainforest areas of central and western Africa through contact with animals such as rodents or by eating wild animals.
There is currently no evidence of spread from animals to humans in Australia.
This disease is mainly transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, lesions or scabs on the skin. It is also transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets, such as sneezing, coughing, talking, or breathing.
In the 2022 outbreak, a large proportion of cases affected men who were sexually active with other men.
Most cases of mpox are mild and can be left without medical treatment; mild cases only need paracetamol for pain and staying hydrated.
Immunocompromised people are at higher risk for severe cases of mox.