Mpox in Queensland

Mpox weekly surveillance

Wednesday 4 December 2024

For advice on the use of vaccines for prevention of mpox, refer to the ATAGI statement.

• There is good supply of mpox vaccine in Queensland and it is available free of charge to all Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP) registered vaccine service providers. Email QHIP-ADMIN@health.qld.gov.au to order mpox vaccine (or register if not already registered).
• Vaccine providers can be found at mpox (monkeypox) vaccination centres
• Clinicians are encouraged to offer vaccination to all eligible priority populations and to follow-up people who have not had their second vaccination at least 28 days following their first vaccine. Eligibility criteria can be found at mpox (previously known as monkeypox)

The updated mpox National Guidelines for Public Health Units has been published.

Since 1 January, there have been 123 confirmed cases of mpox notified in Queensland in 2024. Of these:

• The most recent case was reported during the week ending 24 November 2024.
• Most cases were acquired in Australia, with the primary transmission route being sexual transmission between men who have sex with men.

Cases have been identified in eight Hospital and Health Service catchments: Darling Downs, Gold Coast, Metro North, Metro South, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, West Moreton and Wide Bay.

Read the full weekly update

Thursday 21 November 2024

The weekly mpox in Queensland update is now available online at Mpox weekly surveillance.

View the weekly update

This update will be published at this link weekly until further notice.

A national mpox webinar was hosted by the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) on 21 November.

This webinar discussed vaccination strategies, when to consider mpox as a differential diagnosis, and provided insights on clade 1b.

Watch the webinar recording

Wednesday 16 October 2024

Please be aware unlinked community transmission is now occurring and clinicians are encouraged to offer vaccination to all eligible patients. 

The updated mpox SoNG was published this week.

Read the Mpox – CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units

Since 1 January, there have been 83 confirmed cases of mpox notified in Queensland in 2024. Of these:

• Most cases were acquired in Australia, with the primary transmission route being sexual transmission between men who have sex with men.
• Cases have been identified in six Hospital and Health Service catchments: Darling Downs, Gold Coast, Metro North, Metro South, Sunshine Coast, and West Moreton.

20 September 2024

As of 20 September 2024, there have been 51 confirmed cases of mpox notified in Queensland since 1 January 2024.

There has been a total of 59 mpox cases notified since 2022 in Queensland.

• all cases have been sequenced and are clade IIb
• all cases notified in Queensland in 2024 were likely acquired in Australia
• in 2024, mpox cases have been identified in seven Hospital and Health Service catchments: Darling Downs, Gold Coast, Metro North, Metro South, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, and West Moreton
• the majority (51 per cent) of cases were not previously vaccinated
• the primary transmission route is sexual transmission between men who have sex with men

Vaccination

There is sufficient supply of mpox vaccine currently available in Queensland and it is provided free of charge to vaccine providers. Vaccine providers who offer mpox vaccination can be found online at Mpox vaccination centres.

• clinicians should identify patients eligible for the free preventative vaccination and any patients who have not yet had their second vaccination at least 28 days after the first dose

Travel

ATAGI does not currently recommend vaccination for people travelling to areas where mpox cases are circulating, who do not meet the current vaccine eligibility.

• travellers should be aware of the risk of mpox if travelling overseas where cases have been reported
• destination travel advice can be found at Smartraveller

Further information

On 1 October, the International AIDS Society hosted a free webinar titled Mpox in focus: Global insights on prevention and treatment. 

Watch the webinar recording

7 August 2024

Please be advised that Queensland Health has been notified of 4 new cases of mpox in Queensland over the last week. All cases have been in men who have sex with men (MSM) and are linked to interstate acquisition.

Clinicians are advised to:

• Be alert and test for mpox in patients with compatible signs and symptoms, particularly in MSM, regardless of previous mpox vaccination or travel.
• Have a low threshold for testing in at-risk patients, and when swabbing a lesion for an STI to include testing for mpox.
• Alert your local Public Health Unit (PHU) and advise patients to isolate while awaiting results, and to expect contact from the local PHU if the test for mpox is positive.

Community partners are encouraged to remind people in their communities to be vigilant for symptoms of mpox and encourage those who have not received their vaccination, or not returned for their second dose, to consider doing so.

15 July 2024

Increased Australian mpox cases highlight the need for early detection and management by healthcare providers to prevent further spread.

ASHM, in collaboration with Queensland Health, hosted a mpox webinar for all Queensland Primary health care practitioners, sexual health providers and emergency department clinicians. The webinar aimed to support the:

• Understanding of the epidemiology of mpox in Queensland and Australia, along with the corresponding public health responses.
• Development of strategies to enhance mpox vaccination rates within your clinic.
• Recognition indications for mpox testing by understanding its signs and symptoms.

Endorsement and CPD
HIV s100 Prescribers received 1 ASHM HIV CPD point for attending the session.

Speakers

• Mark Stickley, Public Health Physician, Metro South Public Health Unit
• Andrew Redmond, Infectious Diseases Physician, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
• Caroline Thng, Medical Director, Sexual Health Service, Gold Coast
• Ethan Salleh, GP, Gladstone Road Medical Centre