Department of Health issues mpox alert after two locally acquired cases recorded in WA

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Department of Health issues mpox alert after two locally acquired cases recorded in WA

West Australians are being warned to be vigilant after two locally acquired cases of mpox — formerly known as monkeypox — were reported.

The Department of Health issued the alert on Wednesday, urging at-risk communities to be alert to symptoms.

The local cases — which are still being investigated — are of the milder clade II strain of mpox and are not connected to the more severe clade Ib strain of mpox which is spreading through west and central *******.

WA Health’s Communicable ******** Control Director Paul Armstrong said high-risk groups in the community should seek testing promptly if they suspect they might have the ********.

“Mpox infections have been increasing in Australia over the past few months – particularly among ********* active men who have **** with men and through higher risk activities such as casual **** and multiple partners,” Dr Armstrong said.

“If you have any symptoms suggestive of mpox – even if they are mild and even if you have had the mpox vaccine – you should contact your GP or ******* health service for an appointment.

“Wear a mask, call ahead and cover up any rashes, bumps or pimple-like sores.”

There have been 283 cases of mpox reported across Australia in 2024 so far, all bar one were in men.

The majority of cases were in Victoria where 121 people have tested positive and NSW with 118.

Queensland has had 25, ACT, 12, South Australia, 4, WA, 2, and Northern Territory 1. No cases have been reported in Tasmania.

Mpox can be spread from person-to-person through skin-to-skin contact, including during ****, and contact with contaminated items such as bedding and towels, and rarely, through breathing in droplets from coughs and sneezes.

Symptoms usually start within five days to three weeks of exposure to the virus and may include a rash that can look like bumps, pimples or sores, which later develop into fluid-filled lesions, pustules or ulcers.

Some people also have fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, or enlarged lymph glands.

Dr Armstrong said people with the clade II strain of mpox usually experienced a milder illness which may last for two to four weeks and resolves without specific treatment. Only a few people experience more severe illness.

“Now that we are seeing locally acquired cases of mpox in WA, it’s really important to raise awareness of this virus and encourage people at risk to get vaccinated,” he said.

“Vaccination plays an important role in reducing the severity of illness and preventing spread among those at highest risk of contracting mpox, which is important to protect people who may be vulnerable to severe infections.”

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