Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Mpox (monkeypox) is a disease caused by infection with the Mpox virus.
- It does not easily spread between people, as it usually requires prolonged physical or intimate (skin-to-skin) contact with an infectious person.
- Since May 2022, there has been a multi-country outbreak of Mpox which has mostly impacted men who have sex with men.
- Mpox continues to spread in many countries. In Victoria, the risk of local transmission linked to international travel remains.
- If you develop symptoms, you are urged to seek medical care and testing and limit your contact with others until advised of your test result
- An increased supply of vaccine is now available in Victoria, and more people are now eligible for vaccination.
- People who have had their first dose at least 28 days ago can now receive their second dose.
- Australian health authorities are continuing to monitor the evolving outbreak and provide updated information as it becomes available.
- Vaccination is available free-of-charge for eligible people through Local Public Health Units and certain sexual health clinics and health services.
On this page
- What is Mpox?
- How does mpox spread?
- What are the symptoms of mpox?
- Who is at risk?
- What to do if you develop symptoms of mpox?
- What should you do if you are diagnosed with mpox?
- What should you do if you are identified as a contact of mpox?
- How can mpox be prevented?
- What treatment is available for mpox?
- What immunisation is available against mpox?
- More information
- Information in your language about monkeypox
- Where to get help
Updates
- See Victorian Chief Health Officer Alert – Health warning on mpox
- Further information about mpox, including vaccine eligibility and access, can be found on the mpox disease information and advice page
What is Mpox?
Mpox (monkeypox) is a disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. It typically results in a mild illness associated with a rash. It is spread mostly through prolonged physical or intimate (skin-to-skin) contact with someone who has mpox. Most people recover within a few weeks.
Since May 2022, there has been an ongoing multi-country outbreak of mpox involving more than 100 countries. mpox is currently spreading within local communities in regions where mpox is not usually seen. The current outbreak is mostly impacting men who have sex with men.
How does mpox spread?
Mpox does not spread easily between people. It is mostly spread from person-to-person through prolonged physical or intimate contact with someone who has mpox, especially with skin rashes, lesions, sores or scabs.
It can also spread through contact with clothing or linens (such as bedding or towels) used by an infected person. Sometimes it can spread through respiratory droplets (such as coughs and sneezes) from an infected person, however this is less likely.
It does not spread via casual contact. In endemic areas, spread of mpox may occur through contact with infected wild animals.
People with mpox are infectious from the time that they develop their first symptoms until all lesions crust, dry and fall off with a new layer of skin forming underneath.
What are the symptoms of mpox?
Symptoms may develop up to 21 days from close contact with someone with mpox.
Mpox symptoms can include a rash that can be painful and affect any part of the body including:
- genitals
- area around the anus and buttocks
- inside the mouth
- face
- hands and arms
- feet and legs.
The rash associated with mpox may involve vesicles, pustules, pimples or ulcers. The number of lesions varies. The rash may change and go through different stages, like chickenpox, before finally becoming a scab that falls off.
Other mpox symptoms can include general symptoms that can occur before or alongside the rash, such as:
- fevers
- chills
- muscle aches
- swollen lymph nodes
- exhaustion
- headache
- sore throat
- anal and rectal pain
- pain on urination.
Symptoms can resemble sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes or syphilis as well as other diseases with a rash such as measles or chickenpox.
Most people with mpox have a mild illness and recover within a few weeks. However, some people may develop severe disease and require hospitalisation.
Children, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system are considered at higher risk of developing severe disease.
Who is at risk?
Anyone who has prolonged physical or intimate contact (such as skin-to-skin contact) with someone who has mpox can become infected.
People at highest risk are men who have sex with men, particularly those who are travelling to outbreak areas, have multiple sexual partners or attend large parties or sex on premises venues.
In Victoria, no infections have been seen so far in children and women.
What to do if you develop symptoms of mpox?
If you develop symptoms of mpox you should stay home, restrict your contact with others, and seek medical care and testing without delay.
Wear a mask and call your GP clinic, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, or your nearest sexual health service to let them know you will be attending. If you have any rashes, lesions, sores or scabs make sure these are covered.
What should you do if you are diagnosed with mpox?
People with mpox should avoid contact with others, especially children, pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system. This includes sharing of beds and sexual activity. While condoms are recommended and will protect against some sexually transmitted infections, they may not be effective at preventing the spread of mpox.
You should also avoid contact with animals including pets, due to the risk of human-to-animal spread.
Avoid contact with others until skin lesions are healed with a new layer of skin forming underneath. Make sure to have a follow up appointment with your treating doctor as they will provide clearance and further clinical advice if needed. Following clearance, people who have had mpox should use a condom when having sex for a further 8 weeks as a precaution.
An officer of the Department of Health or Local Public Health Unit (LPHU) will contact you to see how you are doing and undertake contact tracing.
What should you do if you are identified as a contact of mpox?
Some people may be at increased risk of developing mpox after coming into prolonged physical or intimate contact with someone with mpox.
If you are identified as a contact, monitor for symptoms. Depending on the level of risk, you may be advised to follow additional measures by the Department of Health or Local Public Health Unit.
How can mpox be prevented?
Mpox can be prevented by avoiding contact with people with suspected or confirmed mpox. This includes contact with any potentially contaminated materials, such as bedding and towels, that have been in contact with an infected person.
When there is a local outbreak, mpox can also be prevented by limiting your number of sexual partners and ensuring that you have their contact details, until you are fully vaccinated. Limit sexual partners for three weeks following your return from overseas countries where there are active mpox outbreaks. Vaccination will also protect people from mpox.
People who are at highest risk should be aware of the symptoms of mpox and self-monitor for symptoms.
Staying vigilant with hygiene measures including washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitiser is important.
What treatment is available for mpox?
Treatment for mpox is mainly supportive. Mpox typically results in mild illness and most people recover within a few weeks. Effective antiviral treatments are available for severe disease so early testing and presentation to a health service is important.
What immunisation is available against mpox?
In Victoria, the mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS® vaccine) is available free-of-charge for eligible people.
It can be used to prevent or reduce the risk of infection in:
- eligible high-risk groups
- certain people who have had recent high-risk exposure to mpox.
More people are now eligible for vaccination. People who have had their first dose at least 28 days ago can now receive their second dose.
Two doses are required for optimal protection and can be given 28 days apart. The mpox vaccine takes approximately 14 days before it is effective. People who have been vaccinated should continue to follow advice to reduce their risk of mpox during this time.
Mpox vaccines are available through Local Public Health Units (LPHUs) and certain sexual health clinics health services.
For more information on vaccination, including how and where to access the mpox vaccine, see mpox disease information and advice.
More information
Information in your language about monkeypox
Where to get help
- Always call an ambulance in an emergency (triple zero) Tel. 000
- Emergency department of your nearest hospital
- Your GP (doctor)
- NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 (24 hours, 7 days) – for confidential health advice from a registered nurse
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre Tel. (03) 9341 6200 or 1800 032 017 or TTY (for the hearing impaired) Tel. (03) 9347 8619
- Thorne Harbour Health (formerly Victorian AIDS Council) Tel. (03) 9865 6700 or 1800 134 840
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
