There has been a significant increase in the number of mpox cases in Australia in the past month, mainly in NSW.
As of the 17 October, there have been 949 Australian cases reported to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System in 2024.
GPs can help to prevent mpox transmission in WA by identifying and recalling people at risk who are eligible, or patients who may have only had one dose, for pre-exposure preventative vaccination.
The WA Communicable Disease Control Directorate (CDCD) continues to advise that two doses of the vaccine, administered 28 days apart provides optimal protection. The recommended route of administration is subcutaneous. See also the relevant section of the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more details.
The WA Department of Health has developed a quick guide to support primary health care providers and an FAQ document for patients.
Additionally, the CDCD issued an alert for clinicians on 23 August. Clinicians are requested to consider and test for mpox in men who have sex with men (MSM) with a clinically compatible illness. Highly suspicious cases should be notified to the local public health unit within 24 hours. Read more on clinical challenges, recommendations and resources for GPs in the September GP Connect Clinical Feature.
The RACGP have also made available a recording of their September 30 webinar on mpox and the epidemiology in NSW. Watch Stay ahead in sexual health: Navigating mpox and Doxy-PEP in your practice on demand here.
The CDCD also encourages GPs to email CDCD.directorate@health.wa.gov.au or phone 9222 2131 for more information.