Mpox (monkeypox)
Mpox is a disease caused by infection with the mpox virus.
It is contagious and can spread from person-to-person through skin-to-skin contact, contact with infected surfaces or items, and respiratory droplets. Transmission does however require prolonged and often intimate contact with an infected individual.
While OM PHU don’t administer the Mpox vaccine directly, please contact us if you require advice or further details in regard to access to the vaccine in our catchment.
The local vaccine provider is:
- Gateway Community Health (Wodonga), info@gatewayhealth.org.au, (02) 6022 8888
- Gateway Community Health (Wangaratta), info@gatewayhealth.org.au, (03) 5723 2000
- Gateway Community Health (Myrtleford), info@gatewayhealth.org.au, (03) 5731 3500 (by prior request)
- Clinic 72 Albury Community Health, sexual.health@awh.org.au, (02) 6058 1800
What do people need to watch out for?
Symptoms can occur up to 21 days after being exposed to mpox.
Symptoms may include fever, chills, tiredness, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and rash. The rash can appear as vesicles, pustules or ulcers and affect any part of the body, including the anogenital area. Other symptoms may include pain on urination (urethritis) or rectal pain, bloody stools and/or diarrhoea (proctitis).
Mpox can spread from person-to-person through close or prolonged skin-to-skin contact, for example during sexual contact, as well as contact with contaminated items or surfaces and respiratory droplets.
People with mpox are considered infectious from the time they develop their first symptoms and until rash lesions have crusted, scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath.
To read more, click on the fact sheet from the Ovens Murray Public Health Unit.
For additional information, click here
Mpox vaccine
In Victoria, the Mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS® vaccine) is available free-of-charge for eligible people who meet any of the following criteria.
- Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for high-risk close contacts of mpox cases, preferably within 4 days.
- Pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for the following:
- Gay, bisexual, and other men, non-binary people assigned male at birth, or trans people who have sex with men (including cis and trans men) at increased risk of mpox infection.
Proxy markers for increased risk of mpox infection may include:
- Those living with HIV.
- A recent history of multiple sexual partners, participating in group sex, or attending sex on premises venues.
- Other proxy markers, such as recent sexually transmitted infection or those being advised to take HIV PrEP due to number of sexual partners.
- Recommendation from other service providers, such as sexual health clinics.
- Sex workers, particularly those whose clients are in high-risk categories listed above
- Anyone in the above high-risk categories who is planning travel to a country experiencing a significant outbreak, with vaccination recommended 4-6 weeks prior to departure
- Anyone at greater risk of a poor clinical outcome from mpox infection, such as individuals who are immunocompromised.
- Immunisation providers who are administering the ACAM2000™ smallpox vaccine.
- Laboratory workers who analyse specimens from mpox cases
- Sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men, non-binary people assigned male at birth, or trans people who have sex with men (including cis and trans men) who are homeless or have significant drug use or psychiatric illness.
The second dose of mpox vaccine is also available for eligible people.
Two doses are required for optimal protection and can be given 28 days apart. The mpox vaccine takes approximately 14 days before it is effective.
How to access the vaccine
Local vaccine providers are:
- Gateway Community Health (Wodonga), info@gatewayhealth.org.au, (02) 6022 8888
- Gateway Community Health (Wangaratta), info@gatewayhealth.org.au, (03) 5723 2000
- Gateway Community Health (Myrtleford), info@gatewayhealth.org.au, (03) 5731 3500 (by prior request)
- Clinic 72 Albury Community Health, sexual.health@awh.org.au, (02) 6058 1800