Mpox alert issued as cases rise

GPs are being urged to test sexually active patients who have symptoms consistent with mpox, regardless of sexual orientation, vaccination status or travel history, as case numbers rise.
 
In Victoria, 52 cases have been reported since 1 August, with several strains currently circulating globally.
 
In response, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McElnay is reminding clinicians to be aware that vaccinated people can still develop mpox and may have milder or atypical symptoms.
 
‘Mpox most often affects men who have sex with men, but anyone who is exposed to the virus can become infected,’ she said.
 
‘Offer free mpox vaccination to eligible people at increased risk. Check whether they have received two doses and give a second dose if it is due.
 
‘Advise patients with suspected mpox to cover any rash or skin lesions and limit close contact with others while waiting for test results.’
 
According to the updated advice, in Australia, men who have sex with men and their sexual partners are most at risk of mpox, with the risk of exposure higher for people who have multiple or casual sexual partners.
 
Symptoms include initial flu-like illness, with fever or chills, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches or pains and tiredness, or genital or rectal pain, pain when urinating or passing stools, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
 
Rash or skin lesions usually develop after a few days – these can be painful and occur anywhere on the body, including the mouth, genital or rectal areas.
 
‘Symptoms can develop up to 21 days after exposure,’ Dr McElnay said.
 
‘Most people have a mild illness and recover within a few weeks. However, some people develop severe symptoms and need hospital care.’
 
For those with symptoms, it is advised they cover any rashes or skin lesions and wear a mask when attending a medical centre.
 
So far in 2026, 240 cases of mpox have been reported nationwide – 119 of these have been in Victoria, 67 in New South Wales, 39 in Western Australia, nine in Queensland, and six in South Australia.
 
Case numbers are already higher than the 228 reported in the entirety of 2025, but significantly less than the 1410 in 2024.
 
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mpox notifiable disease sexual health