The Australian Government is closely monitoring the multi-country monkeypox virus outbreak.
On 23 July, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern. All six WHO regions have reported cases of monkeypox, including the Western Pacific region and the South-East Asian region. On 26 July, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer also declared monkeypox a communicable disease incident of national significance.
There have been cases of monkeypox notified in Australia. Many of the cases in Australia were acquired overseas.
If you're returning from, or going to, countries where cases have been identified you should:
- follow the advice of local health authorities
- be aware of the signs of infection and seek medical help if you think you might be at risk
- follow the local media for updates
- subscribe to the travel advice for your destination.
If you’re in Australia, contact your relevant state and territory health authorities urgently for advice if you think you've been exposed or have symptoms. Particularly if you’ve recently returned from one of the affected destinations.
Some overseas destinations may introduce screening measures for monkeypox for incoming travellers from areas that have evidence of community transmission of the disease. Read the latest travel advice to know if this applies to your destination/s.
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a viral disease that's part of the same family as the variola virus which causes smallpox. Most cases are mild and people typically recover within a few weeks.
Signs of monkeypox include:
- a distinctive rash, lesions (bumps that turn into pimples, blisters or sores, and may burst to form ulcers or scabs)
- swollen lymph nodes
- fever
- headache
- muscle aches
- joint pain
- back pain
- chills
- exhaustion.
It can be spread to humans from infected animals, but it can also pass from human to human.
Transmission between people can occur through:
- close contact with rashes, blisters or sores on the skin
- body fluids, including respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing
- contaminated objects such as linen and towels.
Although the virus is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), transmission can occur through intimate physical contact during sex. Transmission through respiratory droplets (for example coughing or sneezing) is less common and usually only happens if there is prolonged face-to-face contact. Internationally, the outbreak has disproportionality, but not exclusively, affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.
For more information on the disease, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care.
In areas where monkeypox occurs, avoid:
- contact with rodents and primates
- contact with people infected with monkeypox
- items that may have come in contact with an infected person.
If you’re travelling to a country where monkeypox has not yet been detected, be aware of the symptoms and seek advice from local health authorities if you think you may have been exposed.
More information:
- Monkeypox update from CMO Professor Paul Kelly (Department of Health)
- Monkeypox information on Health.gov.au (Department of Health)
- Monkeypox Q&A (World Health Organisation)
- Monkeypox outbreak news (World Health Organisation)