NSW Health confirm 11 cases of monkeypox in NSW, local transmission suspected

NSW Health has sent out an urgent warning about the monkeypox virus, confirming more cases have been identified and transmission likely now occurring locally.

NSW Health is warning people to be on the lookout for monkeypox symptoms after 11 cases have been confirmed in the state.

The health authority said of those 9 are believed to have come from overseas but worryingly two may have been acquired in Australia.

NSW Health’s Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Jeremy McAnulty said local transmission may be occurring, especially among men who have sex with men.

“People need to be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox, which can include fever, headache, body aches and a rash or lesions on the genital area,” he said.

“So far, in the cases we have seen in NSW, monkeypox is not presenting the way some people expect, such as an extensive rash or lesions all over the body.

A handout picture made available by the UK Health Security Agency shows a collage of monkeypox rash lesions. In NSW, cases are presenting more often as pimples than lesions.

“It could just be a couple of what seem to be pimples in the genital area or buttocks, so people need to pay careful attention to any potential symptoms.

“Most of our cases to date have presented to sexual health clinics, rather than GPs.”

NSW Health said symptoms begin seven to 14 days after exposure and most people recover within weeks.

Dr McAnulty said people who have any of these symptoms should immediately call ahead to their GP or sexual health service for an appointment, tell them of their symptoms and make sure they wear a mask as a precaution.

“The virus is mainly spread through skin to skin contact with the lesions or rarely through close contact with large respiratory droplets from a person early on in their infection,” Dr McAnulty said.

“It is important that people with symptoms avoid close contact with others, including sexual activity, as condoms are not effective at preventing the transmission of monkeypox.”

Thousands of monkeypox cases have been reported in European countries and the United States.