Thousands of cases of monkeypox have been reported from several countries where the virus isn’t endemic, including in Australia.
Amid a COVID-19 surge, health experts are urging the federal government to keep a watch on monkeypox as cases pop up across the country.
What does monkeypox look like? How is it contracted, and can it be cured? Here’s what we know.
What does monkeypox look like?
The disease causes a rash that turns to lesions filled with fluid or pus.
Lesions look like the blisters you see with chickenpox, but larger.
They typically start in the head and neck region rather than centrally in most patients, according to Department of Health information.
The number of lesions varies from a few to several thousand.
How is monkeypox contracted?
The disease spreads chiefly through close contact.
The UN health agency said that outside of Africa, 99 per cent of all reported monkeypox cases are men. Of those, 98 per cent are in men who have sex with other men.
Avoiding close physical contact with infected people is the most effective way to prevent infection.
What are the symptoms?
Initial symptoms of monkeypox include:
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
- headache
- body aches
Symptoms are usually followed by a distinctive rash that may appear on the face, genitalia, inside the mouth, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
The amount of time between being infected and showing symptoms can typically range between seven and 14 days, but can range from five to 21 days, according to Department of Health information.
Is there a cure for monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness spread person-to-person through close contact.
In very rare cases, the disease has proven fatal.
Australia has a vaccine and treatment options are available.
According to the Australian Department of Health, most people don’t require treatment for monkeypox and fully recover from the virus in a few weeks.
Those who become infected may need simple pain medicines and oral fluids, with a health care professional monitoring their symptoms.
Patients can discuss whether antiviral treatment is needed with their doctor.
How many monkeypox cases are there in Australia?
More than 40 cases have since been confirmed since the disease was first reported on May 20 this year.
Australia’s official health figures, as of July 19, show there were 41 cases of monkeypox.
This includes 22 in New South Wales, 15 in Victoria, two in the Australian Capital Territory, one in Queensland and one in South Australia.
Adding to the national figures, the Northern Territory recorded its first case of monkeypox on July 21.
NT Health said the confirmed case was detected in a returned overseas traveller who was currently in isolation in the Top End region.
Globally, there are now 16,000 cases in 75 countries, and there have been five deaths in the intervening period.
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