Mpox

Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) is a rare viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of variola virus which causes smallpox. While generally less severe than smallpox, Mpox can still cause serious illness in some individuals. It is a zoonotic disease which can spread between animals and humans. Since May 2022, there has been a global increase in mpox infections in countries where the virus has not previously been seen.

Symptoms

Mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person, their bodily fluids, respiratory droplets or contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing. It can also be transmitted from animals to humans through bites, scratches and handling infected animals.

Symptoms typically appear within 5-12 days after exposure and may include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and a distinctive rash that progresses through several stages, often starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body.

Most cases are mild and resolve within 2-4 weeks. However, severe cases can occur, especially in young children or immunocompromised people or people with underlying health condition.

Prevention strategies and public awareness

  • Avoid close contact with a person who has symptoms
  • Cover any lesions if you are infected or suspect infection
  • Wear a mask
  • Maintain hygiene, washing hands, using alcohol sanitiser, cleaning surfaces/ objects that may be contaminated
  • Limiting the number of sexual partners during an outbreak
  • Collecting contact details of sexual partners (to facilitate contract tracing)
  • Using condoms to reduce the risk
  • Anyone with symptoms should test and isolate.

Vaccinations

In Victoria, the Mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS® vaccine) is available free of charge for eligible people who meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men
  • sexually active transgender and gender diverse people, if at risk of mpox exposure
  • sex workers
  • sexual partners (including anonymous or intimate contacts) of the above groups
  • sex-on-premises venue staff and attendees
  • people living with HIV, if at risk of mpox exposure, and their partners
  • laboratory personnel working with orthopoxviruses
  • healthcare and humanitarian workers at risk of occupational exposure to patients with mpox, especially workers who will be caring for patients in a country where Clade I transmission is occurring
  • prior to travel for any individual (regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity) who may undertake sexual risk activities in countries with transmission of Clade I mpox.

Note – anyone identifying themselves as at risk of mpox should not be denied vaccination. Medicare cards are not needed to receive the mpox vaccine.

Post-exposure preventative vaccination (PEPV)
People who have been in close contact with someone with mpox are also recommended to receive an mpox vaccine as soon as possible – ideally within four days of exposure. Local Public Health Units will advise if this applies.

Mpox vaccination schedule

  • Two doses of the mpox vaccine are required for optimal protection and are provided subcutaneously 28 days apart. The mpox vaccine takes approximately 14 days before it is effective.
  • Currently, ATAGI does not recommend booster doses of the mpox vaccine for people fully vaccinated with two doses, including those who are severely immunocompromised. ATAGI will continue to review available evidence on whether booster doses should be considered in the future.

For more information on vaccination, see the Australian Immunisation Handbook – Mpox.

Notifiable infectious disease

  • Victoria: Mpox is an urgent notifiable condition. Notify any suspected or confirmed case to the Department of Health by telephone as soon as practicable and within 24 hours by calling 1300 651 160 (24/7). Medical practitioners do not require approval to test for mpox.
  • New South Wales: Mpox is notifiable to NSW Health by medical practitioners, pathology laboratories and hospital chief executives. The management of suspected cases depends on the type of clinician. If mpox is suspected notify the local public health unit on 1300 066 055.

Resources

Last Update: November 18th, 2025

Murray PHN acknowledges its catchment crosses over many unceded First Nations Countries, following the Dhelkunya Yaluk (Healing River).

We pay our respects and give thanks to the Ancestors, Elders and Young people for their nurturing, protection and caregiving of these sacred lands and waterways, acknowledging their continuing cultural, spiritual and educational practices.

We are grateful for the sharing of Country and the renewal that Country gives us. We acknowledge and express our sorrow that this sharing has come at a personal, spiritual and cultural cost to the wellbeing of First Nations peoples. We commit to addressing the injustices of colonisation across our catchment, and to listening to the wisdom of First Nations communities who hold the knowledge to enable healing. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.