Nearly a dozen monkeypox cases in NSW amid fears of local spread

Two of those cases are believed to have been acquired in Australia, with the remainder coming from overseas.

Health authorities are concerned the virus is being locally transmitted, which has sparked the warning for residents to watch for symptoms, particularly for men who have sex with men.

“People need to be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox, which can include fever, headache, body aches and a rash or lesions on the genital area,” NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Jeremy McAnulty said.

“So far, in the cases, we have seen in NSW, monkeypox is not presenting the way some people expect, such as an extensive rash or lesions all over the body.

“It could just be a couple of what seem to be pimples in the genital area or buttocks, so people need to pay careful attention to any potential symptoms. Most of our cases to date have presented to sexual health clinics, rather than GPs.”

Monkeypox is endemic to part of Africa, however thousands of cases have been reported from non-endemic countries since May this year.

Many of the cases are in men who have sex with men.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said monkeypox symptoms are “very similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe”.

It is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, the WHO said.

Monkeypox infection is determined by testing the blister fluid or scabs from a skin rash which often occurs within two weeks of exposure to the virus.