Mpox (previously known as monkeypox)
Mpox (previously called monkeypox) is an infection caused by a virus belonging to the same family as smallpox viruses.
Mpox has historically occurred mainly in Central and West Africa, but since May 2022, there has been a global increase in mpox infections caused by the clade IIb strain, including in Australia. Since 2023, there has been an outbreak of a new clade Ib strain of mpox in Central and Eastern Africa. This strain is not in Australia.
Mpox is mainly spread from person to person through sexual or intimate contact with someone infected with mpox. People most at risk in Australia are gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men, and their partners.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms usually begin 3 to 21 days after contact with the virus. Most people feel better within a few weeks.
Some people get early symptoms such as:
- fever
- headache
- back pain, joint and muscle aches
- sore throat
- tiredness
- swollen lymph nodes.
Some people don’t notice the early symptoms but can get:
- rashes, pimple-like spots, blisters or sores on their bodies. These are usually found on the genitals, anus or buttocks. Often people only have one spot or sore.
- ulcers or sores in the mouth
- rectal pain (pain in and around the anus), discharge or bleeding, which may occur without a sore or rash
- pain on urinating.
The rash usually starts as a flat and red, then spots may fill up with fluid or pus. After 2–3 weeks the spots dry and become crusted scabs. The scabs will fall off and leave new but often discoloured skin underneath.
People vaccinated for mpox may still get the illness, but symptoms are usually mild.
Testing
Mpox is diagnosed by when a swab is taken from skin spots or sores, throat and/or rectum. If you are tested for mpox or other sexually transmitted infections, you should not have sex while waiting for your results.
Treatment
Most people with mpox will get better within a few weeks and can look after symptoms at home by staying hydrated and taking over-the-counter pain medicines. Some people can have a more severe illness or complications, particularly those who have a weakened immune system. They may need to go to hospital for treatment.
If you need to see a doctor, call them before you arrive to let them know you have or may have mpox if you can, or let the Emergency Department know at triage.
Transmission
A person can spread mpox from 4 days before symptoms start.
Mpox in Australia is mainly spread through sexual activity and direct skin to skin contact with mpox spots, sores, blisters or scabs.
Mpox may also spread by:
- touching contaminated materials or items such as clothing, bedding, towels or personal items
- contact with body fluids from a person with mpox
- close face to face contact for a long time with a person with mpox, but this is rare.
A person is no longer infectious with mpox when all symptoms, including any rectal pain have gone and the rash or spots have crusted, scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath.
People with mpox should not have skin to skin contact with others, including sex or intimate contact.
After all symptoms have gone and you are not infectious, you can go back to your normal activities, but you should:
- use condoms for any sexual activity for 12 weeks after your symptoms have gone away
- not donate blood, cells, tissue, breast milk, semen or organs for 12 weeks
- clean and disinfect your home. This is important if you had skin scabs that may have fallen off at home.
Prevention
There is a safe and effective vaccine for mpox called Jynneos. Find your nearest mpox vaccination centre by using the mpox clinic finder.
Mpox vaccination is free* (a Medicare card is not required) and recommended for the following groups:
- all sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (cis and trans) and their sexual partners (including anonymous or intimate contacts)
- sex workers
- people living with HIV who are at risk of exposure to mpox
- people whose occupations might put them at increased risk, including, but not limited to:
- sex-on-premises venue staff
- laboratory staff who analyse mpox specimens, based on a local risk assessment
- healthcare workers at higher risk of exposure to individuals with mpox, including workers in primary care, sexual health clinics, hospital staff and others, based on a local risk assessment. The risk of transmission should also be minimised by using appropriate infection control measures.
- pre-travel vaccination for people (regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity) who may undertake sexual risk activities during travel to countries with transmission of clade I mpox.
* If you are accessing a GP clinic for vaccination, ask your vaccination provider if a consultation fee applies.
Two doses of the vaccine, given at least 28 days apart are required for best protection against mpox.
Other ways to protect yourself from mpox include:
- Share contact information with sexual partners so that if a partner develops mpox, you can be contacted quickly and offered mpox vaccination (if you haven’t had it yet).
- Have safe sex but be aware that condoms may not completely protect someone from the virus as transmission can occur during any skin-to-skin contact.
- Be aware of the risk of mpox if travelling overseas or in other states/territories where cases have been reported, especially if planning to have sex or attend large or intimate social gatherings such as raves, parties, clubs or festivals.
- Avoid close contact with people who have mpox or mpox symptoms.
- Avoid contact with any materials such as clothing, bedding or towels that have been in contact with someone with mpox.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
If you have had contact with someone with mpox:
- Seek medical advice from your local doctor, sexual health clinic or public health unit
- You can get a free* mpox vaccine to help prevent illness, this is best if given within 4 days after contact with mpox, but can be given at any time.
- Look out for symptoms for 21 days after last contact.
- You should not give blood, cells, tissue, breast milk, semen or organs for 21 days after last exposure and avoid contact with people who are at risk of severe mpox (young children, older people, immunocompromised people and pregnant people) during this time.
If you develop symptoms of mpox, avoid contact with others and speak to your local doctor, sexual health clinic or public health unit.
Other resources
- Queensland Health – Information for people with mpox
- Queensland Health – Information for contacts of mpox
- Queensland Positive People - About mpox
- Queensland Council for LGBTI Health - MPXV (Monkeypox)
For further information in English and other languages:
- Mpox fact sheet / ECCQ Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland.
For free help in your language, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.
Help and assistance
Get qualified health advice 24/7 for the cost of a local call on 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
If you are in an emergency situation, call 000 immediately.
For further assistance, please contact your local doctor, community health centre, sexual health service or nearest public health unit