AUS
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Highlights
- Australia has declared Monkeypox (MPX) as a communicable disease incident of national significance.
- So far, 44 cases of Monkeypox have been registered in Australia, mostly from returning international travelers.
- The disease has mild symptoms such as rash and flu that resolve on their own in a couple of weeks without requiring treatments.
Monkeypox (MPX), the viral zoonotic disease that originated in rainforest areas of Africa, has been declared a communicable disease incident of national significance in Australia. Today, the Australian government's chief medical officer made the declaration in consultation with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.
It follows the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s declaration stating MPX is a public health emergency of global concern.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), there are 20,311 cases of MPX in 71 countries that have not previously reported MPX.
So far, in Australia, 44 cases of MPX have been found, mostly from returning international travelers.
Symptoms and occurrence of MPX
MPX has relatively mild symptoms. Generally, rash and flu appear that resolve on their own in a couple of weeks without requiring treatments.
The rash that occurs as blisters, pimples or soles, starts on the face and then extends to other body parts. However, in this outbreak, it is reported that the rashes appear specially in affected people's genital and perianal regions.
The flu-like symptoms often include chills, fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and tiredness.
Australian Government Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly stated that MPX is less detrimental than COVID-19 and hasn't claimed any lives until now during the current outbreak in the countries where the virus is not endemic.
Transmission of MPX
In Australia, MPX-infected people mostly belong to the age group of 21-40 years. Also, the Monkeypox cases in Australia and other countries involve people from gay and bisexual communities. Though the disease does not spread via sexual transmission, there is a considerable threat because of physical contact.
Vaccines for MPX
According to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), there are two vaccines available in Australia for the prevention of monkeypox:
- the 3rd generation JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN: modified vaccinia Ankara vaccine-Bavarian Nordic)
- the 2nd generation ACAM2000™
Government initiatives against MPX
Public health professionals from the Australian Government's Department of Health and Aged Care have been interacting with at-risk communities since May in collaboration with important stakeholders. They have also worked closely with their counterparts from state and territory health departments to ensure a prompt and coordinated response to MPX.
Australia has activated its National Incident Centre to offer improved national coordination to assist states and territories in efficiently handling the outbreaks.
