What does the mpox emergency mean for GPs?

GPs should familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of mpox as the virus continues to spread across the globe.
 
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is now spreading across several African countries, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
 
Since 2022, there has been a global outbreak of mpox, with more than 97,000 reported cases in many countries outside Africa, including Australia, and that number is now rising rapidly.
 
This year, Australia has seen 257 confirmed cases of mpox, with 114 of those being in Victoria, 102 in New South Wales, 24 in Queensland, 12 in the Australian Capital Territory, four in South Australia, and one in the Northern Territory.
 
There have so far been no reported cases in Tasmania or Western Australia.
 
Globally, there have been more than 15,000 cases reported in central Africa this year, many of which are due to a new strain (clade 1b) of the virus, which is yet to be detected in Australia. 
 
Infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist Associate Professor Paul Griffin, who said the emergency declaration will drive awareness to the issue, urges GPs to remain aware of its global spike when consulting with patients.
 
‘What we don’t want to do is miss any cases that are perhaps bought into Australia, because we know the world’s a small place,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘That risk, the probability is relatively low, but what we want to do is make sure that awareness is there, so we do find any potential cases and manage them optimally.’
 
Professor of Immunology at Murdoch University Dr Cassandra Berry said mpox can be transferred from infected animals or humans, with human-to-human transmission being the most significant.
 
‘Infected people will have fever, aches and pains and sometimes vomiting,’ she said.
 
‘Then a rash develops with oozing pox sores, lesions appear and then become scabs.’
 
Pregnant people, children and people with weak immune systems are most at risk for complications from mpox.
 
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, patients with probable or confirmed mpox should immediately isolate until all blisters or sores have healed.
 
Suspected cases should also isolate until they return a negative result.
 
Associate Professor Griffin says GPs should continue to keep an eye on the situation and be aware of patients who have travelled to affected regions.
 
‘GPs can be on the lookout for people that might have recently returned from those countries and implement the right public health measures quickly if they have someone who’s suspected,’ he said.
 
‘One of the things GPs might need to be aware of is the situation, it’s still very dynamic, and may change.
 
‘There may be new countries added to that risk profile, and so that’s, again, where that awareness will be important, to understand where the risk locations are and make sure that anyone who’s been to one of those areas is considered.’
 
Molecular virologist Associate Professor Vinod Balasubramaniam says 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.
 
‘The WHO’s designation of mpox as a PHEIC underscores concerns about the disease’s potential to spread rapidly, especially in populations with low immunity due to the cessation of smallpox vaccination programs.
 
‘This raises questions about the vulnerability of populations, such as in Australia, where there is currently no widespread immunity against orthopoxviruses.’
 
Log in below to join the conversation.

infectious disease monkeypox mpox smallpox vaccination