Monkeypox case detected in NSW connected to Queensland

Health authorities are investigating after a man who recently travelled to Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands and then returned to NSW tested positive to monkeypox.

A man aged in his 50s who was recently in Queensland has tested positive to monkeypox in Sydney.

Queensland Health authorities are working with their NSW counterparts to determine how he contracted the virus.

The man had recently travelled to the Whitsundays.

A Queensland Health spokeswoman said local health authorities are working with NSW Health to help identify potential transmission incidents throughout the state.

“People who develop symptoms should call ahead before consulting their GP or sexual health service,” the spokeswoman said.

The man. a NSW resident, developed a mild illness several days after arriving back in Sydney from Queensland, NSW Health said on Thursday.

“He subsequently presented to his GP and then hospital with symptoms clinically compatible with monkeypox,” NSW Health said.

“Urgent testing is consistent with monkeypox, the second case in NSW.”

The man is currently being treated in hospital.

Health authorities are contacting several lower level contacts of the confirmed case and requesting they monitor symptoms.

This case is not connected to the first case reported in NSW on May 20.