Alarming number of new monkeypox cases in Australia as doctors race to find out how it's spreading so quickly - here's how to spot the symptoms
- Data shows more than half of Victoria's 67 monkeypox cases were locally spread
- Victoria has recorded the most monkeypox cases but shows a new spread trend
- Most of Australia's cases have been 'imported' from people returning from travel
Australians are warned to be on high alert for monkeypox symptoms after 40 cases were found to be locally acquired, and health authorities race to find the source of the spread.
Monkeypox was first detected in Australia in May.
Since then, there have been 129 cases recorded across the country, 67 in Victoria - 40 of which were locally spread - 50 in New South Wales, five in Western Australia, three in Queensland, two in the Australian Capital Territory and two in South Australia.
New data shows half of Victoria's monkeypox cases have been contracted from spread in the community (pictured, commuters in Melbourne)
The majority of Australia's cases have been 'imported' from travellers returning home from overseas holidays, but data from Victoria shows a worrying new trend of the virus moving and spreading in the local community.
Eight people are currently receiving hospital treatment for monkeypox in Victoria from a total of 17 active cases.
The World Health Organisation said the current fatality rate of monkeypox is between three and six per cent but has historically reached as high as 11 per cent, so about one in ten people dying from the disease.
The Health Department have advised people to be aware of monkeypox symptoms and isolate if infected (pictured, Health Department advice)
Monkeypox is usually identified for pus-filled legions and rashes (above) but also causes flu-like symptoms
Symptoms from the disease typically appear within two weeks of infection and ease by four weeks.
Australian authorities are attempting to slow the rate of spread through the use of a smallpox vaccine called Jynneos.
However, global supplies of the jab have been scarce since smallpox was eradicated with Bavarian Nordic in Denmark being the only manufacturer of the specific vaccine.
Due to the historic use of smallpox vaccines, it is believed people aged over 40 have a higher protection against monkeypox.
Australian tourist Jack Barlow (above) caught monkeypox while travelling in the US and isolated after returning home
The majority of monkeypox cases have been recorded in men who have sex with other men but anyone who is in close contact with a patient can contract the virus.
The disease is spread through skin-to-skin contact, bodily fluids (including from legions), respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces.
Monkeypox is typically recognised for causing pus-filled legions and rashes all over a patient's body but also causes flu-like symptoms like fever and swollen lymph nodes.
So far 57,527 cases have been recorded in 103 countries, 96 of which have not historically reported the virus.
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly declared monkeypox a communicable disease incident of national significance in late July after the WHO called it a public health emergency of international concern.
People infected with monkeypox are urged to isolate until all sores clear.
Travellers returning from overseas should monitor their health for symptoms.
Global supplies of the monkeypox vaccines, a smallpox vaccine called Jynneos (above), is short in supply globally
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