Rising mpox cases: Update for GPs

General practitioners (GPs) are at the forefront of managing the ongoing mpox outbreak in Australia. The Department of Health and Aged Care continues to advise GPs to remain proactive in addressing this ongoing public health concern.

The Queensland Health Communicable Diseases Branch has confirmed that as of 20 September 2024, there have been 51 confirmed cases of mpox notified in Queensland since 1 January 2024.

Key overview:

• In 2024, mpox cases have been identified in 7 Hospital and Health Service catchments: Darling Downs, Gold Coast, Metro North, Metro South, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, and West Moreton.
• The majority (51 per cent) of confirmed cases were not previously vaccinated.
• The primary transmission route is sexual transmission between men who have sex with men (MSM).

For the latest medical advice and official reports, please see the Department of Health and Aged Care website: health.gov.au/diseases/monkeypox-mpox

What are the recommendations for vaccination?

The government-funded mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS) is recommended for:

• sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (MSM) and their sexual partners
• people who are sex workers
• people living with HIV who are at risk of mpox exposure.

2 doses of the mpox vaccine, administered by subcutaneous injection (at least 28 days apart) reduces infection risk and disease severity.

Encourage the second dose in people who have only received 1 dose and promote recording to the Australian Immunisation Record (AIR).

How to become a vaccine service provider for mpox?

There is no specific certification to administer mpox vaccines. Any vaccine service provider can administer JYNNEOS vaccines (health.gov.au).

The order form is available from Queensland Health: Immunisation Program Vaccine Order Form.

If you are happy to receive stock and offer mpox vaccination, you will be added to the mpox vaccine clinic finder.

Mpox training and resource toolkit

The ASHM mpox page contains training, resources and community information: ashm.org.au/resources/monkeypox-mpox/

Learn more at the National Mpox Webinar

Healthcare practitioners who want to expand their knowledge of mpox transmission, vaccination and testing can join ASHM’s upcoming National Mpox Webinar: Vaccination and Testing.

The webinar is online via Zoom on Monday 21 November, 7pm to 8:30pm.

Register for the webinar online: ashm.org.au/training/national-mpox-webinar-vaccination-and-testing/

Other resources

• Queensland Positive People — About mpox: qpp.org.au/information/looking-after-yourself/sexual-health/mpox/

• Queensland Council for LGBTI Health – MPXV (Monkeypox): qc.org.au/mpox