Monkeypox (MPX) is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. The monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus which causes smallpox. It is a rare viral illness that can become serious. For most people, symptoms will clear up on their own after 2 to 4 weeks.
Since May 2022, there has been a global increase in MPX infections in multiple countries where the illness is not usually seen. MPX was first reported in Australia May 2022 associated with people who had recently travelled from Europe and the USA.
On 28 July 2022, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer declared monkeypox to be a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the MPX outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on 23 July 2022.
A Melbourne and Sydney GP explains where Australia sits with mpox in 2026: the rename from monkeypox, the new clade Ib strain, current MVA-BN/JYNNEOS vaccine guidance, what to do if you only ever got one dose, when to test, and when to see a doctor.
Understanding how Monkeypox is transmitted and passed from person to person is key in it’s prevention. This page covers the transmission routes of Monkeypox in both sexual and non sexual skin to skin contact and other routes.
