Mpox

Mpox (monkeypox) is a disease caused by infection with the mpox virus.

Mpox was first seen in Victoria in May 2022, and continues to spread among people within Victoria and people coming from overseas.

Mpox does not spread easily between people. It is usually spread from person to person by prolonged physical or intimate (skin-to-skin) contact with someone who has mpox, particularly through sexual contact. It can also spread through contact with clothing or objects (bedding or towels) used by an infected person and through respiratory droplets (coughs and sneezes).

While anyone can get mpox, people most at risk in the current outbreak are gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, those who are travelling to countries with outbreaks, and those with multiple sexual partners or attending large parties or sex on premises venues.

Symptoms may be mild or severe and typically include a rash, fever, and generally feeling unwell. The rash can occur anywhere on the body, and is often seen on the face, genitalia and around the anus. The rash may involve vesicles, pustules, pimples or ulcers and the number of lesions can vary. The rash may change and go through different stages, like chickenpox, before finally becoming a scab that falls off. Some people only develop pain in the rectum without a visible rash.

Mpox can look like other conditions like herpes, chickenpox, shingles or syphilis.

Most people usually have mild illness and recover within a few weeks. Antiviral treatments are available for severe disease so early testing is important.

Vaccination is the best tool available to protect against mpox. Vaccination reduces the risk of getting mpox and the risk of severe disease. No vaccine is 100 per cent effective, and infection may occur in people who are vaccinated. It is important for people with mpox symptoms to get tested, even if they have been vaccinated.

In Victoria, the mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS® vaccine) is available free-of-charge for people who meet any of the updated eligibility criteria. Please check eligibility criteria here.

Eligibility criteria
Post-exposure preventive vaccination (PEPV) for high-risk close contacts of mpox cases, preferably within 4 days.

Primary preventive vaccination (PPV) has been expanded to include:

All sexually active gay and bisexual men (cis and trans).
Sexual partners of the above.
Sex workers.
Immunisation providers who are administering the ACAM2000™ smallpox vaccine.
Laboratory workers who analyse specimens from mpox cases.
Vaccination may also be considered for healthcare workers at higher risk of exposure to patients with mpox, including primary care, sexual health clinics, hospital staff and others, based on local risk assessments. The risk of transmission should be also minimised by using infection control measures.

Two doses are required for optimal protection and can be given 28 days apart. The mpox vaccine takes approximately 14 days before it is effective.

If you develop symptoms of mpox, you should stay home, restrict your contact with others, and seek medical care and testing.

Contact your healthcare provider or nearest health service for advice. Make sure any rashes, lesions, sores or scabs are covered if you attend an appointment.

For more information about what to do if you develop symptoms of mpox, or if you are a contact of someone with mpox, please visit the Better Health Channel.

Mpox is an urgent notifiable condition. Notify any suspected or confirmed case to the Department of Health by telephone as soon as practicable and within 24 hours by calling 1300 651 160 (24/7).

For more mpox information for clinicians, please visit the Department of Health website.

GP FAQs here