Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Mpox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
- It does not easily spread between people and is usually caused by prolonged physical or intimate (skin-to-skin) contact with an infectious person.
- If you develop symptoms, you should seek medical care and testing, and limit your contact with others until you get your test result back.
- Mpox vaccine is widely available in Victoria, and if you are eligible, you can get vaccinated now.
- People who have had their first dose at least 28 days ago should receive their second dose.
- Vaccination is available free-of-charge for eligible people through sexual health clinics and health services.
On this page
Further information about mpox, including vaccine eligibility and access, can be found on the mpox disease information and advice page on Health.vic.
What is mpox?
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It usually causes a mild illness with a rash. It’s mostly spread through prolonged physical or intimate (skin-to-skin) contact with someone who has mpox. Most people recover within a few weeks.
How mpox spreads
Mpox does not spread easily between people. It is usually spread from person-to-person by prolonged physical or intimate contact with someone who has mpox, especially with skin rashes, lesions, sores or scabs.
It can also spread through contact with clothing or objects (bedding or towels) used by an infected person and through respiratory droplets (coughs and sneezes).
It does not spread via casual contact.
People are infectious from the time they develop their first symptoms until all lesions crust, dry and fall off with a new layer of skin forming underneath.
Who is at risk
Anyone who has prolonged physical or intimate contact (skin-to-skin contact) with someone who has mpox can become infected.
People most at risk are gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, those who are travelling to countries with outbreaks, and those with multiple sexual partners or attending large parties or sex on premises venues.
Symptoms of mpox
Symptoms of mpox may develop up to 21 days after contact with an infected person.
Symptoms can include a rash that can be painful and affect any part of the body including:
- genitals
- area around the anus and buttocks
- inside the mouth
- face
- hands and arms
- feet and legs.
The rash may involve vesicles, pustules, pimples or ulcers and the number of lesions can vary. The rash may change and go through different stages, like chickenpox, before finally becoming a scab that falls off.
Other symptoms that can occur before or alongside the rash, include:
- fevers
- chills
- muscle aches
- swollen lymph nodes
- exhaustion
- headache
- sore throat
- anal and rectal pain
- pain during urination.
Symptoms can resemble sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like herpes or syphilis as well as other diseases with a rash such as measles or chickenpox.
Most people have a mild illness and recover within a few weeks but some people may develop severe disease and require hospitalisation.
Children, pregnant persons and people with a weakened immune system are considered at higher risk of developing severe disease.
What to do if you develop symptoms of mpox
If you develop symptoms of mpox you should stay home, restrict your contact with others, and seek medical care and testing.
If you develop symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or nearest health service for advice. Make sure any rashes, lesions, sores or scabs are covered if you attend an appointment.
What to do if you are diagnosed with mpox
People with mpox should avoid contact with others, especially children, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems.
Avoid contact with animals including pets, due to the risk of human-to-animal spread.
Wait until all skin lesions heal with a new layer of skin forming underneath before resuming normal activities. Have a follow up appointment with your doctor as they will provide clearance and further advice if needed, like how long to use a condom when having sex after recovery.
A health officer from your Local Public Health Unit (LPHU) or the Department of Health will contact you to see how you are doing. They will help identify other people you may have been in contact with while you were infectious, to alert them of the risk of developing mpox. They will inform your contacts without disclosing your identity.
What to do if you are identified as a contact of mpox
If you are identified as a contact, watch for symptoms. Follow current public health guidelines and recommendations from health officials.
Prevention of mpox
Vaccination against mpox is an important preventative measure. Two doses are required for optimal protection against severe disease. No vaccine is 100 per cent effective, and infection may occur in people who are vaccinated.
Avoid contact with people with suspected or confirmed mpox. This includes touching potentially contaminated materials, like bedding or towels.
Consider limiting your number of sexual partners and swap contact details. Consider limiting sexual partners for three weeks after returning from countries where there are mpox outbreaks.
Maintain good hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitiser.
If you are unvaccinated, or have only had one dose, and have been exposed to someone with mpox, getting a vaccine (preferably within four days after exposure), may reduce your risk of getting mpox. Speak to your GP or sexual health clinic about getting vaccinated.
Treatment of mpox
Most people usually have mild illness and recover within a few weeks. Antiviral treatments are available for severe disease so early testing is important.
Mpox immunisation
In Victoria, the mpox vaccine is available free-of-charge for eligible people.
It helps to reduce the risk of infection and severe disease in:
- eligible high-risk groups
- certain people who have had recent high-risk exposure to mpox.
Two doses of the vaccine, given four weeks apart, are required to lower your risk or chance of catching mpox.
The mpox vaccine takes approximately 2 weeks before it is effective.
If you have received your first dose at least four weeks ago, make sure you get your second dose.
Mpox vaccines are widely available through sexual health clinics, public hospitals, general practitioners, Aboriginal health services, some councils and community pharmacies. Your Local Public Health Unit can help you find a provider in your area.
More information on mpox
Where to get help
- Always call an ambulance in an emergency (Triple Zero) Tel. 000
- Emergency department of your nearest hospital
- Your GP (doctor)
- NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 (24 hours, 7 days) – for confidential health advice from a registered nurse
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre Tel. (03) 9341 6200 or 1800 032 017 or TTY (for the hearing impaired) Tel. (03) 9347 8619
- Victorian Sexual Health Network – where to get tested – visit Melbourne Sexual Health Centre's GP partner clinics for STI check-ups and treatment
- Thorne Harbour Health (formerly Victorian AIDS Council) Tel. (03) 9865 6700 or 1800 134 840
- Emen8 – Find your nearest sexual health centre
- Find my Local Public Health Unit
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