NSW Health confirms first local transmission of monkeypox in the state – ABC News

The first locally acquired case of monkeypox has been recorded in New South Wales.

So far, 42 people across the state have contracted the virus, with the majority of those infected overseas. Two acquired their infection in other parts of Australia.

Sunday’s announcement is a first for NSW and comes more than a week after the rollout of the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccination program started for those most at risk. 

In a statement, NSW Health urged the community to protect itself.

“NSW Health is urging the community, particularly gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), to continue to be vigilant for the symptoms of monkeypox following local transmission of the virus in NSW,” they said.

Regardless of whether people have travelled to high-risk areas overseas, they are being encouraged to be aware of the virus declared a “communicable disease incident of national significance” by Australia’s Chief Medical Office.

Symptoms can usually appear seven to 14 days after skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. They can include fever, headache, body aches, and a rash or lesions on the genital area.

NSW Health says transmission is also possible by respiratory droplets in the early stages and contact with clothing, linen or other contaminated items.

“It is important that people with these symptoms avoid close contact with others,” NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection Richard Broome said.

“Including sexual activity, as condoms are not effective at preventing the transmission of monkeypox.”

Infectious diseases specialist Sanjaya Senanayake said the latest findings were concerning.

“As of a week or two ago, we were quite comfortable, in the sense that they [monkeypox cases] were mainly from returned travellers,” he said.

“But now there is local transmission and we see what’s happening in Europe and the Americas as well. I think we have to be very worried about this.”

According to Professor Senanayake, vaccines and more education are key to containing the spread and preventing the virus from mutating.

“If you look up monkeypox, all the state and territory websites have information, but there can always be more,” he said.

“In the US, they are having real problems in terms of getting enough vaccine … so there are lessons for us now. If we have a huge outbreak of monkeypox, we do not have enough vaccine at the moment.

“As we’ve seen with COVID, if you allow enough people to get infected where the virus replicates, who knows what it might do, so it’s important to have it under control.”

On August 8, NSW Health started administering its supply of 5,500 doses of the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine.

An additional 30,000 doses are expected in early September and October, with another 70,000 in early 2023.

High-risk groups including men who have sex with men, gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men who are homeless have been prioritised in the rollout.

The international outbreak of monkeypox began in May. Since then, there have been more than 35,000 confirmed cases globally.

It was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) in July.

Deaths have been recorded in Brazil, Spain and India.

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