Since May 2022, there has been a global increase in Monkeypox (MPX) infections in multiple countries where the illness is not usually seen, including Australia.
Monkeypox may be spread from person-to-person through skin-to-skin contact, contact with contaminated surfaces or items, and respiratory droplets. Local transmission is occurring in Australia, and anyone developing symptoms that may be consistent with monkeypox should seek medical care.
It is important to note that monkeypox can affect anyone who comes into prolonged contact with someone with monkeypox. Healthcare workers should note that Monkeypox is an urgent notifiable condition.
General practice staff can contact their Provider Support Officer, or SEMPHN's Provider Support team by emailing providersupport@semphn.org.au or call on 1300 331 981 (option 3).
The South Eastern Public Health Unit compiled a list of services administering the MPX to patients.
Prevention
Infection control for health workers
Health workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed monkeypox virus infection, or handling specimens from them, should implement standard infection control precautions.
Prevention for your patients
The Victorian Department of Health recommends the following precautions:
- People should avoid close contact with people with suspected or confirmed monkeypox.
- Staying vigilant with hygiene measures including wearing masks and washing hands with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitiser is important.
- It is important that people with monkeypox isolate from others and abstain from sex while symptomatic, from the onset of symptoms and until their lesions have healed and the scabs have dried and fallen off. People should, as a precaution, use condoms with all sexual partners for eight weeks after infection.
- People who are returning from outbreak hotspots such as Europe and North America should monitor for signs or symptoms of monkeypox particularly those who have attended sex on premises venues, dance venues, sex parties or saunas.
- It is recommended that people limit their sexual partners, particularly if they are not vaccinated.
- It is recommended that people exchange contact information with their sexual partners to assist with contact tracing if needed.
Vaccines
In Victoria, monkeypox vaccine will be available free-of-charge for specific priority groups. Visit the Department of Health's Monkeypox page to view the full eligibility criteria.
Please note that while the vaccine is free of charge, consultation may not be. Please speak to the relevant clinic to verify consultation-related fees.
Monkeypox vaccinations will be available from the following metropolitan locations.
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
- Thorne Harbour Health
- Northside Clinic
- Collins Street Medical Centre
- Prahran Market Clinic
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of monkeypox infection can include:
- a distinctive rash, lesions (bumps that turn into pimples, blisters or sores, and may burst to form ulcers or scabs)
- swollen lymph nodes
- fever
- headache
- muscle aches
- joint pain
- back pain
- chills
- exhaustion.
The rash changes and goes through different stages, before forming a scab and falling off. It can appear as lesions (pimples, blisters or sores, which can then burst to form ulcers or scabs). These can vary in size and number with as little as a single lesion to several thousand. The lesions look like blisters similar to chickenpox, but larger.
Typically, the rash starts on the face, including in the mouth, and spreads to other parts of the body including the hands, feet, and chest. In this outbreak, some people have reported a rash appearing in the genital and perianal regions without spreading to other areas of the body. Some people only experience this rash with no other symptoms. Other people have had anorectal pain with no other symptoms. The rash can be painful, especially if the lesions join together or appear in the mouth or rectum.
Symptoms begin 5 to 21 days after exposure. MPX illness is usually mild and people typically recover within a few weeks.
Testing
Testing should be performed on all people suspected of being infected with monkeypox. Acceptable sample types include lesion fluid, tissue, or skin biopsy, and nasopharyngeal or throat swabs.
Medical practitioners must notify the department of any suspected or confirmed cases by calling 1300 651 160 (24/7).
Consider testing for other sexually transmitted infections such as HSV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea.
Treatment
Most infections are mild, and treatment is generally supportive and symptomatic.
Refer to the Australian monkeypox treatment guidelines for indications for antivirals.
If hospitalisation is required, please contact your local emergency department beforehand to ensure that the patient can be managed in appropriate PPE.
South Eastern Melbourne PHN
Contact Us
Site usage
While the Australian Government Department of Health has contributed to the funding of this website, the information on this website does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government and is not advice that is provided, or information that is endorsed, by the Australian Government. The Australian Government is not responsible in negligence or otherwise for any injury, loss or damage however arising from the use of or reliance on the information provided on this website.
SEMPHN acknowledges the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies in which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We also acknowledge all First Nations peoples with whom we work. Sovereignty was never ceded!