More than 20 new cases of mpox have been recorded across Australia in the past week, as health authorities race to contain a growing outbreak of the infectious disease and urge men who have sex with men to get vaccinated.
Since last Friday, the national notifiable diseases surveillance system has reported a further 22 cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, bringing the total number of cases for Australia to 90 this year. In comparison, 26 cases were recorded across Australia in 2023 and 144 were reported in 2022.
Eleven of the new cases were reported in Victoria, 8 in NSW, 2 in Queensland and 1 in South Australia.
The recent rise in cases has resulted in health authorities urging the community to get vaccinated against the disease.
“We are seeing continued increases in the number of mpox cases in NSW following outbreaks in neighbouring states,” Matthew Vaughan, director of HIV and sexual health at LGBTI+ health organisation ACON, told Gay Sydney News.
“This is concerning and is an important reminder to our communities that mpox hasn’t gone away.”
| Number of mpox cases | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| ACT | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| NSW | 56 | 12 | 11 |
| NT | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| QLD | 6 | 2 | 14 |
| SA | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| TAS | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| VIC | 70 | 8 | 56 |
| WA | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 144 | 26 | 90 |
Vaughan encouraged anyone who had not had a vaccine to protect themselves against mpox, or hasn’t completed the full course of two doses, to visit the NSW Health mpox website, where people can find their closest vaccination location.
“If you’ve only had one dose so far, please prioritise having the second now,” Vaughan said.
“Two doses of the vaccine provides the best protection against mpox, and can reduce the severity of symptoms.”
Mpox symptoms can include a rash that often appears on the face, hands, feet, genitals and anal area. Other symptoms may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and fatigue.
ACON says mpox is spread through close physical contact, and contact with contaminated materials such as towels, clothes, and sheets.
“For people travelling interstate and to overseas where mpox cases are more prevalent, there are several key pieces of advice to consider such as practising good hygiene and staying informed about the current situation regarding mpox in the destination they are travelling to,” Vaughan said.
“Please stay vigilant, get vaccinated, and act quickly when symptoms appear. We can protect ourselves and our communities from mpox.”
Last Friday, NSW Health issued a media release asking gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men to be on the lookout for symptoms of mpox following the detection of the three new cases recorded in the state that week.
| Age group | Total mpox cases in Australia |
| 20-24 | 7 |
| 25-29 | 47 |
| 30-34 | 67 |
| 35-39 | 64 |
| 40-44 | 35 |
| 45-49 | 17 |
| 50-54 | 13 |
| 55-59 | 5 |
| 60-64 | 5 |
| Total | 260 |
Gay Sydney News editor