NSW Public Health Alert: MPox circulating in NSW

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Mpox is spreading in our region – resources for GPs

  • 19 July 2024
  • SHW

Following a recent Mpox Update issued 25 June 2024, NSW Health has issued an mpox Safety Notice on 11July 2024.

The Notice emphasises that local mpox (monkeypox) transmission continues in NSW, and that all men who have sex (MSM) with compatible symptoms should be tested for mpox.

Symptoms may be subtle with few or no lesions, which can vary in presentation from an appearance of an ingrown hair to vesicles. Other symptoms can include proctitis (with or without lesions) and in some cases fever, malaise, lymphadenopathy or myalgia.

Please note

  • Delayed mpox diagnoses have recently occurred due to clinician reluctance to order mpox testing, despite testing being clinically indicated and requested by the patient. 
  • Be alert to the signs of symptoms of mpox in all MSM and organise indicated investigations, including mpox testing. Timely diagnosis is important to prevent further avoidable transmission.
  • A dry swab of a de-roofed pustule or vesicle, or from the rectum in patients with proctitis, should be sent for mpox PCR.

Further information on mpox testing and management for clinicians is available here. Further information on vaccination for mpox is available here.

For clinical advice on any aspect of mpox testing, management or vaccination, please contact:

  • In-hours: Sexual Health Info Link (clinician and patient advice) – 1800 451 624
  • SLHD region, in-hours: Sexual Health on-call telephone (clinicians only) – 0476 042 423 or 95151200 (ask to speak to doctor on call)
  • Out-of-hours: ID/microbiology on-call via your local hospital switchboard (clinicians only)

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