According to the latest report from Australian media, Western Australia recently reported two locally confirmed cases of mpox (monkeypox virus, new name) – previously known as monkeypox. The Health Department issued an alert on Wednesday, urging high-risk communities to remain highly vigilant of symptoms.
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The local cases (still under investigation) belong to the milder II strain of Mpox virus, unrelated to the more severe Ib strain spreading in West and Central Africa.
Paul Armstrong, the Director of Infectious Disease Control at the Western Australia Health Department, emphasized that high-risk individuals in communities who suspect they may have this disease should seek testing immediately.
Armstrong noted, “In the past few months, Mpox infections in Australia have been increasing, especially among sexually active males, including those engaging in high-risk activities such as casual sex and multiple sexual partners.”
“If you have any symptoms of mpox, even mild ones, and even if you have been vaccinated against mpox, you should contact your general practitioner or sexual health service for an appointment. Wear a mask, call ahead, and cover any rashes, lumps, or pimple-like sores.”
As of now, Australia has reported 283 cases of mpox in 2024, with all cases being male except for one. The majority of cases occurred in Victoria with 121, New South Wales with 118, Queensland with 25, Australian Capital Territory with 12, South Australia with 4, Western Australia with 2, and Northern Territory with 1. Tasmania has reported no cases.
Mpox can spread from person to person through skin-to-skin contact (including sexual activity) and contact with contaminated items like bedding and towels, rarely through droplets from coughing and sneezing that are inhaled.
Symptoms usually start within 5 days to 3 weeks of exposure to the virus and may include rashes that appear as lumps, papules, or sores, which later develop into fluid-filled lesions, pustules, or ulcers. Some individuals may also experience fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, or swollen lymph nodes.
Armstrong emphasized that individuals with the II strain of Mpox typically experience a milder illness lasting two to four weeks, which resolves without special treatment. Only a minority of individuals develop a more severe illness.
He said, “Now that we are seeing locally acquired Mpox cases in Western Australia, increasing awareness of this virus and encouraging at-risk individuals to get vaccinated is crucial.”
Vaccination plays a vital role in reducing the severity of the disease and preventing the spread of Mpox in the most at-risk populations, which is crucial for protecting those who may be susceptible to severe infection.
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