Latest news with #NationalNotifiableDiseaseSurveillanceSystem
Otago Daily Times
20-07-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Rare mpox strain detected in Australia
Authorities in Australia fear the number of hospital contacts could grow as they trace health staff after a rare strain of mpox was detected in an overseas traveller. Health officials in Queensland believe 19 community contacts and 40 staff at a hospital have been exposed to the man, who recently returned to Australia from Africa. The patient was diagnosed with a rare strain of Clade 1 mpox after he presented to Logan Hospital, south of Brisbane. But he was not contagious during his journey to Australia, health officials say. "Those close contacts that he has been in contact, including at the emergency ward and in other locations, are being contact traced right now and identified at this stage," Health Minister Tim Nicholls said on Sunday. "At the moment his family are asymptomatic, that is, they're not showing any signs of the Clade 1 mpox, but they are isolating." The man's family includes children at high school, primary school and child care centres and those institutions are being identified, Mr Nicholls said. Health officials do not expect the number of community contacts to increase, but the number of hospital contacts could grow. Mpox is a viral infection that typically displays mild symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue, followed by a skin rash or lesions. "The contagion window we define as being four days before the onset of symptoms, until after the skin lesions have crusted over," Dr Geoffrey Playford from Metro South Hospital Service said. There have been 135 cases of Clade 2 mpox in Queensland over the past year. Only once before has Clade 1 been detected in Australia, after a returning traveller tested positive for the virus in New South Wales in May. The disease does not easily spread between people and mostly occurs through very close or intimate contact with someone infected. Groups at higher risk of infection include sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and their partners. People travelling to areas where the Clave 1 variant is circulating - particularly Central Africa and adjacent countries - and who are likely to have sexual contact are recommended to have a vaccine before departing. Health authorities say vaccinations for pre- and post-exposure to the disease are effective and are available for free through sexual health clinics and general practitioners. Two doses of vaccine are needed for optimal protection. The mpox outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation in August 2024. It was first detected in Australia in 2022, with the number of cases spiking to more than 1400 in 2024, according to Australia's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
7NEWS
20-07-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Contact tracing ongoing after rare mpox strain detected in Logan
Authorities fear the number of hospital contacts could grow as they trace health staff after a rare strain of mpox was detected in an overseas traveller. Health officials in Queensland believe 19 community contacts and 40 staff at a hospital have been exposed to the man, who recently returned to Australia from Africa. The patient was diagnosed with a rare strain of Clade 1 mpox after he presented to Logan Hospital, south of Brisbane. But he was not contagious during his journey to Australia, health officials say. 'Those close contacts that he has been in contact, including at the emergency ward and in other locations, are being contact traced right now and identified at this stage,' Health Minister Tim Nicholls said on Sunday. 'At the moment his family are asymptomatic, that is, they're not showing any signs of the Clade 1 mpox, but they are isolating.' The man's family includes children at high school, primary school and childcare centres and those institutions are being identified, Nicholls said. Health officials do not expect the number of community contacts to increase, but the number of hospital contacts could grow. Mpox is a viral infection that typically displays mild symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue, followed by a skin rash or lesions. 'The contagion window we define as being four days before the onset of symptoms, until after the skin lesions have crusted over,' Dr Geoffrey Playford from Metro South Hospital Service said. There have been 135 cases of Clade 2 mpox in Queensland over the past year. Only once before has Clade 1 been detected in Australia, after a returning traveller tested positive for the virus in NSW in May. The disease does not easily spread between people and mostly occurs through very close or intimate contact with someone infected. Groups at higher risk of infection include sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and their partners. People travelling to areas where the Clave 1 variant is circulating - particularly Central Africa and adjacent countries - and who are likely to have sexual contact are recommended to have a vaccine before departing. Health authorities say vaccinations for pre- and post-exposure to the disease are effective and are available for free through sexual health clinics and general practitioners. Two doses of vaccine are needed for optimal protection. The Mpox outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation in August 2024. It was first detected in Australia in 2022, with the number of cases spiking to more than 1400 in 2024, according to Australia's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
West Australian
20-07-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Contact tracing ongoing after rare mpox strain detected
Authorities fear the number of hospital contacts could grow as they trace health staff after a rare strain of mpox was detected in an overseas traveller. Health officials in Queensland believe 19 community contacts and 40 staff at a hospital have been exposed to the man, who recently returned to Australia from Africa. The patient was diagnosed with a rare strain of Clade 1 mpox after he presented to Logan Hospital, south of Brisbane. But he was not contagious during his journey to Australia, health officials say. "Those close contacts that he has been in contact, including at the emergency ward and in other locations, are being contact traced right now and identified at this stage," Health Minister Tim Nicholls said on Sunday. "At the moment his family are asymptomatic, that is, they're not showing any signs of the Clade 1 mpox, but they are isolating." The man's family includes children at high school, primary school and child care centres and those institutions are being identified, Mr Nicholls said. Health officials do not expect the number of community contacts to increase, but the number of hospital contacts could grow. Mpox is a viral infection that typically displays mild symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue, followed by a skin rash or lesions. "The contagion window we define as being four days before the onset of symptoms, until after the skin lesions have crusted over," Dr Geoffrey Playford from Metro South Hospital Service said. There have been 135 cases of Clade 2 mpox in Queensland over the past year. Only once before has Clade 1 been detected in Australia, after a returning traveller tested positive for the virus in NSW in May. The disease does not easily spread between people and mostly occurs through very close or intimate contact with someone infected. Groups at higher risk of infection include sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and their partners. People travelling to areas where the Clave 1 variant is circulating - particularly Central Africa and adjacent countries - and who are likely to have sexual contact are recommended to have a vaccine before departing. Health authorities say vaccinations for pre- and post-exposure to the disease are effective and are available for free through sexual health clinics and general practitioners. Two doses of vaccine are needed for optimal protection. The mpox outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation in August 2024. It was first detected in Australia in 2022, with the number of cases spiking to more than 1400 in 2024, according to Australia's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
Perth Now
20-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Contact tracing ongoing after rare mpox strain detected
Authorities fear the number of hospital contacts could grow as they trace health staff after a rare strain of mpox was detected in an overseas traveller. Health officials in Queensland believe 19 community contacts and 40 staff at a hospital have been exposed to the man, who recently returned to Australia from Africa. The patient was diagnosed with a rare strain of Clade 1 mpox after he presented to Logan Hospital, south of Brisbane. But he was not contagious during his journey to Australia, health officials say. "Those close contacts that he has been in contact, including at the emergency ward and in other locations, are being contact traced right now and identified at this stage," Health Minister Tim Nicholls said on Sunday. "At the moment his family are asymptomatic, that is, they're not showing any signs of the Clade 1 mpox, but they are isolating." The man's family includes children at high school, primary school and child care centres and those institutions are being identified, Mr Nicholls said. Health officials do not expect the number of community contacts to increase, but the number of hospital contacts could grow. Mpox is a viral infection that typically displays mild symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue, followed by a skin rash or lesions. "The contagion window we define as being four days before the onset of symptoms, until after the skin lesions have crusted over," Dr Geoffrey Playford from Metro South Hospital Service said. There have been 135 cases of Clade 2 mpox in Queensland over the past year. Only once before has Clade 1 been detected in Australia, after a returning traveller tested positive for the virus in NSW in May. The disease does not easily spread between people and mostly occurs through very close or intimate contact with someone infected. Groups at higher risk of infection include sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and their partners. People travelling to areas where the Clave 1 variant is circulating - particularly Central Africa and adjacent countries - and who are likely to have sexual contact are recommended to have a vaccine before departing. Health authorities say vaccinations for pre- and post-exposure to the disease are effective and are available for free through sexual health clinics and general practitioners. Two doses of vaccine are needed for optimal protection. The mpox outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation in August 2024. It was first detected in Australia in 2022, with the number of cases spiking to more than 1400 in 2024, according to Australia's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System.
The Advertiser
19-07-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Second case of rare mpox strain discovered in traveller
A rare strain of mpox, only seen once in Australia, has been detected in an overseas traveller. A case of the Clade 1 strain of mpox has been confirmed in a patient in Queensland's Metro South Hospital and Health Service region, the state's health body said. The patient is believed to have acquired mpox overseas before arriving in Australia, state Health Minister Tim Nicholls said. "Contact tracing has been occurring, and the community can be assured that exposure to members of the community has been very limited, and the public should not be concerned," he said on Saturday. The detection is the second incidence of the mpox strain reported in Australia after a returned traveller tested positive for the virus in NSW in May. Mpox is a viral infection that typically displays mild symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue, followed by a skin rash or lesions. The disease does not easily spread between people and mostly occurs through very close or intimate contact with someone infected. Groups at higher risk of infection include sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and their partners. Health authorities say vaccinations for pre- and post-exposure to the disease are effective and are available for free through sexual health clinics and general practitioners. Two doses of vaccine are needed for optimal protection, with vaccination reducing the risk of infection and severe disease. The World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August 2024. The disease was first detected in Australia in 2022, with the number of cases spiking to more than 1400 in 2024, according to Australia's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. There have been about 150 confirmed cases of mpox in 2025. Men make up the majority of reported notifications, accounting for more than 1700 of all confirmed cases. A rare strain of mpox, only seen once in Australia, has been detected in an overseas traveller. A case of the Clade 1 strain of mpox has been confirmed in a patient in Queensland's Metro South Hospital and Health Service region, the state's health body said. The patient is believed to have acquired mpox overseas before arriving in Australia, state Health Minister Tim Nicholls said. "Contact tracing has been occurring, and the community can be assured that exposure to members of the community has been very limited, and the public should not be concerned," he said on Saturday. The detection is the second incidence of the mpox strain reported in Australia after a returned traveller tested positive for the virus in NSW in May. Mpox is a viral infection that typically displays mild symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue, followed by a skin rash or lesions. The disease does not easily spread between people and mostly occurs through very close or intimate contact with someone infected. Groups at higher risk of infection include sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and their partners. Health authorities say vaccinations for pre- and post-exposure to the disease are effective and are available for free through sexual health clinics and general practitioners. Two doses of vaccine are needed for optimal protection, with vaccination reducing the risk of infection and severe disease. The World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August 2024. The disease was first detected in Australia in 2022, with the number of cases spiking to more than 1400 in 2024, according to Australia's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. There have been about 150 confirmed cases of mpox in 2025. Men make up the majority of reported notifications, accounting for more than 1700 of all confirmed cases. A rare strain of mpox, only seen once in Australia, has been detected in an overseas traveller. A case of the Clade 1 strain of mpox has been confirmed in a patient in Queensland's Metro South Hospital and Health Service region, the state's health body said. The patient is believed to have acquired mpox overseas before arriving in Australia, state Health Minister Tim Nicholls said. "Contact tracing has been occurring, and the community can be assured that exposure to members of the community has been very limited, and the public should not be concerned," he said on Saturday. The detection is the second incidence of the mpox strain reported in Australia after a returned traveller tested positive for the virus in NSW in May. Mpox is a viral infection that typically displays mild symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue, followed by a skin rash or lesions. The disease does not easily spread between people and mostly occurs through very close or intimate contact with someone infected. Groups at higher risk of infection include sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and their partners. Health authorities say vaccinations for pre- and post-exposure to the disease are effective and are available for free through sexual health clinics and general practitioners. Two doses of vaccine are needed for optimal protection, with vaccination reducing the risk of infection and severe disease. The World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August 2024. The disease was first detected in Australia in 2022, with the number of cases spiking to more than 1400 in 2024, according to Australia's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. There have been about 150 confirmed cases of mpox in 2025. Men make up the majority of reported notifications, accounting for more than 1700 of all confirmed cases. A rare strain of mpox, only seen once in Australia, has been detected in an overseas traveller. A case of the Clade 1 strain of mpox has been confirmed in a patient in Queensland's Metro South Hospital and Health Service region, the state's health body said. The patient is believed to have acquired mpox overseas before arriving in Australia, state Health Minister Tim Nicholls said. "Contact tracing has been occurring, and the community can be assured that exposure to members of the community has been very limited, and the public should not be concerned," he said on Saturday. The detection is the second incidence of the mpox strain reported in Australia after a returned traveller tested positive for the virus in NSW in May. Mpox is a viral infection that typically displays mild symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes or fatigue, followed by a skin rash or lesions. The disease does not easily spread between people and mostly occurs through very close or intimate contact with someone infected. Groups at higher risk of infection include sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and their partners. Health authorities say vaccinations for pre- and post-exposure to the disease are effective and are available for free through sexual health clinics and general practitioners. Two doses of vaccine are needed for optimal protection, with vaccination reducing the risk of infection and severe disease. The World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August 2024. The disease was first detected in Australia in 2022, with the number of cases spiking to more than 1400 in 2024, according to Australia's National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. There have been about 150 confirmed cases of mpox in 2025. Men make up the majority of reported notifications, accounting for more than 1700 of all confirmed cases.
