Health alert: First Australian monkeypox cases in NSW, VIC

NSW has its first confirmed case of monkeypox just hours after Australia’s first instance of the virus was detected by officials.

NSW’s first case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Sydney.
NSW Health have confirmed a man in his 40s is the state’s first monkeypox case after extra testing.

“The urgent testing that identified the probable case of monkeypox has been confirmed by further tests,” a NSW Health statement said.
“This is the first case of monkeypox to be confirmed in NSW.”

This is the second case of the virus confirmed in Australia after Victoria confirmed a case of the disease earlier today.

A skin lession caused by the monkeypox virus is shown on the hand of a child infected with the virus. Picture: Supplied

Monkeypox has spread through Europe including the UK and Spain, and the US in recent weeks, causing alarm for the World Health Organisation as cases had recently been found outside Africa.

The viral infection is not easily spread from person to person and symptoms include an angry bumpy rash, headaches and fevers.

The Sydney case became ill a few days after returning from Europe and is now isolating at home.

The confirmed Sydney monkeypox case is the first recorded in Australia’s history, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.

“It isn’t a cause of major concern amongst the broader community but it’s something that we need to be aware of,” he said.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said it takes one to two weeks for the virus to incubate after exposure, and starts with fever, muscle aches and pains and is followed by the rash.

Blisters, pus and scabs then develop and can last over two weeks.

“The infection is usually a mild illness for most people … but some people can experience more serious illness,” she said.

Dr Chant said cases overseas had predominantly presented in gay or bisexual men, and urged men who have sex with men to keep an eye out for these symptoms.

Dr Chant earlier said NSW Health has taken steps to ensure it identifies and appropriately managed any potential monkeypox cases.

“NSW Health has issued a clinician alert to GPs and hospitals across the state and has also been in contact with sexual health services to increase awareness of the cases identified overseas and to provide advice on diagnosis and referral. We will be speaking with GPs about this issue again today,” Dr Chant said.

“Cases are occasionally reported in non endemic countries in returning travellers or their close contacts, or in owners of imported pets. People can contract monkeypox through very close contact with people who are infected with the virus,” Dr Chant said.

“The infection is usually a mild illness and most people recover within a few weeks.”

Mr Hazzard said he suspected it was “party season” in Europe and the US contributing to monkeypox cases overseas in gay and bisexual men.

“They’ve come out of Covid and there’s a lot of partying going on, and this particular virus is something which particular groups in the community, are more likely to have and to convey as a result of close associations that occur with people during this party season in Europe,” he said.

NSW Health is reaching out to sexual health clinics and LGBT health services to target gay and bisexual men in their messaging.

Dr Chant warned that sex on premises parties are a particular risk as the virus is mainly spread through droplets and skin to skin contact.

Just hours after NSW Health announced a case in Sydney, Victorian health authorities say they also recorded a case.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant. Picture Gaye Gerard

Health Minister Brad Hazzard. Picture: Gaye Gerard

The man in his 30s travelled into Melbourne from the UK on May 16 and was taken to hospital immediately where he is now in isolation.

The man’s close contacts have been told to monitor for symptoms.

Mr Hazzard also expressed concerns about a doubling of flu hospitalisations each week, 129 cases admitted last week.

“I know people are over vaccinations, we’ve had vaccination discussion for the last two years day after day,” he said.

“But don’t forgot the reason Australia has done so well is we all went out and got vaccinated.”

Dr Chant warned a bad flu season could be on the way.

“We are seeing an earlier start to the flu season this year,” Dr Chant said.

Dr Chant said continuing covid measures like staying home if sick, ventilating indoor spaces and good hand hygiene will be key to protecting each other from the flu.

Originally published as Health alert: First Australian monkeypox cases in NSW, VIC