Victoria’s mpox outbreak is intensifying – here’s what every clinician should know.
The number of people infected with mpox is continuing to increase in Melbourne. As of 21 August, 120 mpox cases have been notified in Victoria since April 2024.
Those at highest risk are sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.
Although the current outbreak has mostly affected men who have sex with men, it can and has affected people outside this group.
Symptoms include rash, fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, proctitis and pharyngitis.
The presentation can be atypical with only some of these symptoms, particularly in those who have previously been vaccinated against mpox.
Key messages for clinicians are:
- Be alert and consider mpox in patients with compatible symptoms, in particular those presenting with a genital rash, lesions, or proctitis, and/or when you are testing for other STIs.
- Please collect a specimen using a dedicated dry swab, mark as “urgent” and send to the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL) via your normal pathology provider. Current advice is to wear contact and droplet precautions PPE (single use facemask, gloves, gown and eye protection) when taking the swab.
- All suspected or confirmed cases of mpox must be immediately notified to your Local Public Health Unit or the Department of Health on 1300 651 160.
- Please advise the patient to abstain from sexual activity while awaiting results and that their local public health unit will call them.
Due to the emergence of mpox Clade 1b in overseas regions, please ask about recent travel or sexual contact with others who have recently returned.
It is strongly recommended that you vaccinate eligible patients with the mpox vaccine via subcutaneous administration.
The vaccine is freely available to order via the OneLink portal. A second dose of vaccine is required for optimal protection, at least 28 days after the first dose.
During the current Victorian outbreak of mpox there have been no episodes of mpox transmission in healthcare settings. Providing care to patients with mpox who attend primary care for clinical assessment or testing does not pose a significant risk to staff or other patients, however the risk of transmission can be further minimised by:
- Minimising the time spent in the waiting room, especially if the patient with mpox has uncovered skin lesions or respiratory symptoms.
- Ensuring treating staff members wear a mask and asking the patient to wear a mask if tolerated.
- Using gloves when examining the patient and ensuring hand hygiene is undertaken when gloves are removed.
- All used linen should be considered potentially infectious and should be changed and laundered appropriately. Minimise shaking of soiled linen to avoid dispersing infectious particles.
Further information on mpox:
- HealthPathways mpox page
- Latest CHO alert
- Department of Health mpox page
- Western Public Health Unit mpox page
- North Eastern Public Health Unit mpox resources
- Mpox immunisation providers
Disclaimer: This article was provided by North Eastern Public Health Unit and Western Public Health Unit. While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network does not warrant or represent the accuracy, currency and completeness of any information or material included within.
