Three locally acquired cases of mpox reported to SA Health

SA Health has issued an alert for mpox, after the first locally-acquired cases since 2022 were detected in the state.

Three locally acquired cases of mpox (formerly called monkeypox) have been reported to SA Health — in a man in his 20s, a man in his 30s and a man in his 50s.

Officials stress the risk to the general public is low as transmission usually required prolonged close or intimate contact.

There were no cases in SA last year and two in 2022 when a global outbreak occurred and cases were identified in many countries where the disease is not usually present.

The name was changed amid claims it was racist and stigmatising.

There have been 67 cases of mpox in Australia this year, with 45 of these reported in Victoria.

Mpox is a viral infection that usually results in a mild illness.

Most people recover within a few weeks, however some people may develop severe illness and require hospital care.

A free vaccine is available for mpox. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP

Vaccination reduces the risk of transmission and the severity of the disease with two doses required for optimal protection.

The free vaccine is available for eligible groups including close contacts of mpox cases and all sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men.

Mpox can spread from person-to-person through close or prolonged skin-to-skin contact, for example during sexual contact, as well as contact with contaminated items or surfaces.

Symptoms can occur up to 21 days after exposure and may include fever, chills, tiredness, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and rash which can appear as vesicles, pustules or ulcers.

People with mpox are considered infectious from the time they develop their first symptoms and until rash lesions have crusted, scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath.

Communicable Disease Control Branch deputy director Dr Louise Flood encouraged anyone who is eligible to get their vaccination now to protect themselves against mpox.

Dr Louise Flood encouraged vaccination against mpox.

“The risk to the public is low,” she said. “Mpox is not easily transmitted from person to person without prolonged close or intimate contact.

“If you do think you have mpox, seek medical advice and get tested.”

Mpox is a zoonosis — spread to humans from animals — and spread in this way occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa, via contact with animals such as rodents or eating wild game.

There is no evidence of spread from animals to humans in Australia.

It mainly spreads through direct contact with infected body fluids, lesions or scabs on the skin. It can also spread through prolonged contact with respiratory droplets (from coughing, sneezing, breathing and speaking) and contact with contaminated materials or objects, such as contaminated clothing, towels or linen.

This mode of transmission means that anyone can acquire or transmit mpox.

SA Health says a large proportion of cases in the 2022 outbreak affected men who have sex with men.

People who attend sex on premises venues or other events that involve sexual or intimate contact with a large number of people have been shown to be at higher risk of contracting mpox.