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Queensland Health has confirmed a second Australian case of the rare Clade I strain of Mpox, with the latest detection in Brisbane.

The case was identified in a patient from the Metro South Hospital and Health Service region, and is believed to have been acquired overseas, rather than through local transmission.

Health Officials Assure Public: Limited Risk of Exposure

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls addressed community concerns, stating that public health measures were already in place:

“Contact tracing has been occurring, and the community can be assured that exposure to others has been very limited. The public should not be concerned.”

While Mpox (formerly monkeypox) has become more widely recognised since global outbreaks in recent years, Clade I has been rare in Australia. In contrast, Clade II has accounted for the majority of local Mpox cases.

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Clade I vs Clade II: What’s the Difference?

Since January 2024, Queensland alone has recorded 135 confirmed Clade II Mpox cases, with most acquired within the state. Clade I, however, has been far more prevalent in central and eastern Africa, where more than 30,000 cases have been reported.

The first Australian Clade I case was reported earlier this year in New South Wales, brought in by an overseas traveller. This Brisbane case marks only the second known case of Clade I in the country.

Understanding Mpox and Who’s at Risk

Mpox was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in August 2024, following a sharp global increase in cases. It presents initially with flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue, followed by a painful rash or lesions, often appearing in the anogenital region.

The virus is primarily spread through close or intimate contact and is not easily transmissible in casual or public settings.

The LGBTQIA+ community, particularly gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), and their sexual partners, remain a group at elevated risk. However, vaccination is available, free, and encouraged across Australia.

Vaccination and Prevention Remain Key

The government-funded Mpox vaccine is available through sexual health clinics and select GPs nationwide. It is recommended both as post-exposure prophylaxis and as a preventive measure, especially for individuals travelling to regions experiencing ongoing outbreaks.

In October 2024, ACON in NSW urged at-risk residents to get vaccinated amid a rise in cases.

Health advice urges individuals who believe they may have Mpox to contact a medical facility and inform staff before attending. Testing is done via PCR swabs from skin lesions or from anorectal and throat samples.

Other potential causes, such as herpes, syphilis, or varicella (chickenpox), should also be ruled out.

Those with suspected Mpox should self-isolate, cover any lesions, and avoid close contact until test results are confirmed.

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