Mpox is a contagious viral infection that spreads primarily through close contact such as sex.
The infection is rarely life threatening but the rash can be painful. Most people have a mild illness and recover within a few weeks.
Symptoms can include a rash, fever, chills, headache and muscle aches. These symptoms can resemble other conditions like herpes, syphilis, measles or chickenpox.
Anyone who develops these symptoms is recommended to stay home, limit physical contact with others, seek medical care and testing, and cover any rashes or lesions if attending an appointment.
Who is most at risk of getting mpox in the NEPHU region?
Anyone can get the virus. However, sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, non-binary and trans people are at highest risk.
People with mpox should avoid physical contact with others, especially children, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised). Contact with animals including pets should be avoided due to the risk of human-to-animal spread. Please consult a doctor for guidance and to make sure if it’s safe to continue normal activities, including when to resume safe sex practices.
How can you protect yourself from mpox?
Vaccination is the best protection against mpox. Free vaccines are available in Victoria, even without requiring a Medicare card, through health services, sexual health clinics and other immunisation providers.
To find your nearest vaccination site, visit Better Health Channel’s list of mpox immunisation providers.
Two doses are required for maximum protection. Other ways you can protect yourself include:
- Maintaining good hygiene practices
- Practicing safe sex (for example, using condoms and avoid sharing sex toys). However, condoms may not always prevent mpox depending on the location of skin lesions.
- Make an appointment with your doctor (or a sexual health clinic) and ask to be tested for mpox if you notice any symptoms.
Stay informed, get vaccinated, and seek timely medical advice to help reduce the risk of getting mpox and protect your community.
For professionals
Consider testing for mpox when assessing patients with compatible symptoms (i.e. genital rashes, lesions, or proctitis). Use appropriate PPE and collect lesion and nasopharyngeal swabs for mpox PCR, marking them as ‘urgent – send to VIDRL’. You should also consider testing for concurrent STIs.
Advise patients to isolate while awaiting results.
Please notify the Department of Health immediately of any suspected or confirmed cases on 1300 651 160.
Eligible patients should be encouraged to get two doses of the mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS®) for optimal protection. These are freely available to order via the OneLink portal. For more details, please visit the Victorian Department of Health website.
Clade 1b
There is an emerging outbreak of Mpox caused by Clade 1b of the virus. For up-to-date information, please see the Chief Health Officer Alerts: Health alerts and advisories.
