Number of Australian Mpox Cases Surpasses 300 in 2024

A family nurse practitioner prepares a syringe with the Mpox vaccine for inoculating a patient at a vaccination site in the Brooklyn borough of New York, on Aug. 30, 2022. Jeenah Moon/AP Photo

Health departments across Australia have warned that monkey pox (mpox) cases are on the rise, with more than 300 detected this year so far.

New South Wales (NSW) has recorded the highest number of cases at 144, followed by 127 in Victoria, and 27 in Queensland as of Aug. 25.

In Victoria, all 127 cases have been identified since April.

In addition, there are 13 cases in the Australian Capital Territory, four in South Australia, two in Western Australia (WA), and one in the Northern Territory.

National Notifiable Disease Surveillance data shows that almost all affected people are men with 317 cases in men and one case a woman.

Mpox is a viral infection that can spread through close skin to skin contact or via contaminated items or surfaces and respiratory droplets, according to the Victorian Department of Health.

The outbreak currently in Australia is caused by Clade IIb of the mpox virus. This differs from Clade Ib of the virus, which has been detected in Central and Eastern Africa.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr. Clare Looker recently warned that mpox cases were on the rise and is mostly impacting men.

“There is an ongoing outbreak of mpox in Victoria and other Australian jurisdictions, mostly impacting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men,” she said.

The World health Organisation declared a Public Health Emergency of International concern on Aug. 14 in response to the Clade Ib strain of the virus, which causes a more severe form of the disease.

“Clade one (I) is endemic in central Africa and typically causes more severe disease than clade two (II), which is endemic to west Africa.”

Looker also encouraged vaccination, which she said was widely available via sexual health clinics, hospitals, doctors, councils and pharmacies.

What are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of mpox start between five days and three weeks after being exposed to the virus and can include a rash that looks like bumps, pimples, and sores.

This rash can later develop into fluid-filled lesions, pustules or ulcers. Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, backache, and swollen lymph glands are other possible symptoms of mpox.

Meanwhile, in response to the rise in cases, NSW Health is encouraging the community to be aware of symptoms. Just one case had been detected in the state before June 1.

NSW Health is asking people who may be at risk of mpox to stay on the lookout for symptoms.

In response to an inquiry about the rising cases, NSW Health pointed The Epoch Times to the latest advice from Executive Director of Health Protection Dr. Jeremy McAnulty.

“Mpox spreads through close skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact, and often starts with small pimple-like skin lesions particularly in areas that are hard to see such as the genitals, anus or buttock,” McAnulty said. 

McAnulty said some people experience mild fever, headache, fatigue, or swollen lymph nodes and mouth ulcers or rectal pain.

“People who have any symptoms of mpox, even if they have had the mpox vaccine and even if mild, should immediately contact their GP or sexual health service for an appointment,” he said.

“The mpox vaccine is free for those considered to be at higher risk of developing mpox, and you do not need a Medicare card to receive it,” NSW Health said.

Health Authorities Suggest Vaccine

WA Health Communicable Disease Control Director Dr. Paul Armstrong encouraged those with Mpox symptoms to wear a mask and take the vaccine.

The WA Department of Health issued a health warning after two locally acquired cases were detected during the week.

“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 sexual health service for an appointment. Wear a mask, call ahead and cover up any rashes, bumps or pimple-like sores,” Armstrong said.

Dr. Armstrong added high risk groups in the community should be “alert for symptoms and promptly seek testing.”

“Mpox infections have been increasing in Australia over the past few months—particularly among sexually active men who have sex with men and through higher risk activities such as casual sex and multiple partners,” he said on Aug. 21. 

The health department confirmed the cases were the the same milder clade II strain of mpox. Despite this, Armstrong warned that a few people may get a more severe form 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.

Monash University Associate Professor and molecular virologist Vinod Balasubramaniam said Australia needs to remain vigilant about the spread of mpox, particularly from international travel.

“Enhanced surveillance, public health education, and vaccination are crucial in controlling the spread of mpox, particularly in non-endemic regions like Australia, where monitoring for potential cases is essential to prevent outbreaks,” he said.