As of 30 May 2022, monkeypox virus infection is an urgently notifiable disease in Western Australia (WA). Key points:
- Medical and nurse practitioners, and pathologists, have a legal obligation to immediately report suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox virus infection.
- Suspected and confirmed cases must be reported urgently by telephone to the relevant Public Health Unit or the on-call public health physician after hours.
- The Infectious and Related Diseases Notification Form is being updated to include monkeypox. In the meantime, notifications can be specified in the Clinical Comments section.
Download the full alert from Dr Paul Armstrong, Director, Communicable Disease Control Directorate here
Monkeypox webinar for primary care
The Australian Government Department of Health held a webinar on 23 May 2022 to provide key updates and answer participants’ questions related to monkeypox. Speakers included:
- Professor Michael Kidd AM, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health
- Professor Deborah Williamson, Director, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory
- Dr James McMahon, Vice President, ASHM (Australian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine)
View a recording of the webinar here