The Victorian Health Department has called for vigilance after the state records its first case of mpox in almost 6 months.
There are concerns that the emergence of a case in Victoria may be due to local transmission, and not international travel.
The situation has prompted calls for at-risk Victorians to be vaccinated, particularly gay and bisexual men, as well as sex workers.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by the mpox virus.
Common symptoms
include rashes (on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth), fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and sore throat.
They usually arise within three weeks of infection, with a rash developing 1 to 4 days later. In that time, an infected person can spread the virus to another,
usually by skin-to-skin and intimate contact (such as during intercourse).
Christian McGrath, acting chief health officer, called for vigilance with increased travel and several LGBT pride events expected this year.
“If you develop symptoms, our advice is to stay home, restrict your contact with others, and book an appointment with your GP or nearest sexual health service,” he said in a statement on Jan. 30.
“Anyone eligible who is not double vaccinated should make an appointment with a provider,” she said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Mpox no longer a global public health emergency, but the virus continues to spread with local outbreaks.
The last international outbreak occurred in May 2022 in which nearly 93,000 cases were reported globally.
Victoria reported 80 cases in 2022 with that number falling to 8 in 2023. According to the Victorian Health Department, increased awareness and vaccination programs are attributed to the decline in cases.
