August 2022
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly has declared Monkeypox a communicable disease incident of national significance.
In Australia, there have been 44 cases of Monkeypox, with the first case reported in WA by a returned traveller last week.
The WA Department of Health is working with the Australian Government to secure limited supplies of vaccines for the prevention of Monkeypox for those who have confirmed high risk of exposure.
GPs are being urged to be on the alert for cases and the WA Department of Health has published guidance on testing, use of PPE, management of contacts and reporting of Monkeypox. Cases must be reported urgently by telephone to the Public Health Units (Healthy WA) within a few hours of first suspicion of diagnosis.
The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has also prepared fact sheets and posters to help health professionals and patients identify Monkeypox Guidance for patients is available via HealthyWA. The Monkeypox frequently asked questions may be useful for patients most at risk of contracting Monkeypox.