Man tests positive to monkeypox after visiting Whitsundays

Mackay health authorities are working with the Communicable Diseases Branch after a confirmed a case of monkeypox was detected in a tourism hotspot.

A man in his 50s who recently travelled to the Whitsunday has tested positive for monkeypox. (Photo Courtesy of CDC/Getty Images)

Mackay health authorities are working with the Communicable Diseases Branch after a confirmed a case of monkeypox was detected in the tourism hotspot of the Whitsundays.

A man aged in his 50s, who was recently in the Whitsundays, tested positive to monkeypox in Sydney.

This follows a recent increase in the rare disease reported in multiple overseas countries.

The Mackay public health unit has contacted Whitsunday medical centres warning staff to be vigilant for monkeypox cases.

There have been cases reported in New South Wales, Victoria and now in the Whitsundays region.

The public health unit is working closely with the Communicable Diseases Branch in Brisbane to assist in the investigation of this case in the Whitsundays.

Mackay public health is working closely with the Communicable Diseases Branch in Brisbane as a man tests positive to monkeypox after visiting the Whitsundays.

Local person-to-person transmission is suspected to have occurred among international cases via direct intimate contact with other people who are infected with monkeypox.

The virus usually presents as a mild illness with influenza like symptoms such as fever, headache or muscle aches and swelling of the lymph glands.

Between one to three days following a fever, a rash with blisters develops often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body.

There are no specific treatments for monkeypox infection.

It is usually a mild self-limiting illness and most people recover within two to four weeks.

Rarely severe cases occur and people who develop symptoms should call ahead before consulting their GP.

Mackay Base Hospital. Picture: Tony Martin

Health authorities have also lifted certain Covid-19 restrictions for visitors at hospitals across the Mackay district.

In line with statewide processes anyone can now visit a hospital in Queensland regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination status.

But some restrictions remain in place for anyone who has Covid-19 currently, is within the seven-day isolation period or is a close contact.

Restrictions also remain for anyone who has returned from overseas in the last seven days, are awaiting Covid-19 test results or have symptoms.

Exemptions may be provided for recently returned overseas travellers and close contacts or diagnosed cases in exceptional or compassionate circumstances.

Restrictions do not apply to patients.

Some departments still have visitor restrictions in place, including the emergency department where no visitors are allowed unless patients are critically unwell, palliative or paediatric.

All hospital visitors are still required to wear a face mask while visiting hospital and healthcare facilities.