The World Health Organisation has declared mpox a global health emergency following the alarming spread of the infectious disease in Africa.
While the virus (formerly known as monkeypox) is widespread in Africa, it is also spreading in Australia but to a lesser degree. There are now more cases of the virus in Australia this year than in 2023 and 2022 combined.
A total of 241 cases have been recorded in Australia this year, including one case reported by a female. There were 26 cases recorded in 2023 and 144 in 2022.
In comparison, there have already been more than 14,000 cases and 524 deaths from the virus in Africa this year, which already exceeds last year’s figures. Ninety-six per cent of all cases and deaths in Africa are from a single country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mpox is transmitted through close contact such as sex, skin-to-skin contact and breathing close to another person, and scientists are concerned by the spread of a new variant that may be more easily transmitted among people.
The virus causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, and can be fatal, with a mortality rate of four out of every 100 cases.
The virus has also been identified for the first time in four East African countries: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, with all outbreaks linked to Congo.
WHO’s emergency declaration is meant to spur agencies and countries into action to keep the virus contained, said director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“A public health emergency of international concern is the highest level of alarm under international health law,” he said.
“In addition to other outbreaks of other clades of mpox in other parts of Africa, it’s clear that a co-ordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”
The 2022 global outbreak of the virus was mostly contained due to the use of vaccines and treatments in rich countries, but those same vaccines are relatively unavailable in Africa.
Men who have sex with men made up the vast majority of cases in 2022, with the virus mostly spreading through sexual activity.
LGBTI+ health organisation ACON previously told Gay Sydney News that the community should still be vigilant and ensure that vaccinations were up to date.
“If you’ve only had one dose so far, please prioritise having the second now,” said ACON’s director of HIV and sexual health Matthew Vaughan.
“Two doses of the vaccine provides the best protection against mpox, and can reduce the severity of symptoms.”
According to government data, the majority of cases in Australia have been reported by men between the ages of 30 and 39. Victoria has recorded the most cases this year with 108 reported, while NSW has had 93.
Men who have sex with men are encouraged to protect themselves against mpox by visiting the NSW Health mpox website, where they can find their closest vaccination location.
All sexually active gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men (cis and trans), as well as anyone who has sex with these men, including women (cis and trans), and non-binary people, and sex workers are eligible to get the vaccine for free.
Two doses are required and a Medicare card is not needed.
Gay Sydney News reporter
1 Comment
I think it is important to specifically note, as per the NSW Health alert issued yesterday, that there are growing numbers locally in NSW.
“NSW Health is asking the community to be aware of symptoms of mpox following a recent increase in infections, mostly impacting men who have sex with men, as per the NSW Health alert issued yesterday (16 August 2024).
There have been 93 notifications of mpox in NSW since 1 June 2024. Before 1 June, only one case had been detected in NSW in 2024. In 2022, 56 mpox notifications were reported in NSW, and in 2023 there were 12.”
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20240816_02.aspx