Mpox (monkeypox) virus infection

Statutory notification

• Mpox virus infection is an urgently notifiable infectious disease in Western Australia.
• Alert: cases must be reported urgently by telephone to the Public Health Units (Healthy WA) within a few hours of first suspicion of diagnosis.
• Notifications should be made using the communicable disease notification form for metropolitan residents (PDF 214KB) or regional residents (PDF 213KB).
• For notification of regional residents see contact details of public health units.
• See also description of Statutory medical notifications in Western Australia.

Public health management

Important information

• Infectious agent: Mpox virus.
• Transmission: close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus, such as bedding.
• Incubation period: 5 – 21 days (but usually 6 – 13 days). Rash appears 1 – 5 days after initial symptoms.
• Infectious period: People with mpox are infectious from the onset of the prodrome until the vesicles have scabbed over and the scabs have fallen off.
• Case isolation: Isolate until all lesions have crusted, scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath. High risk settings include healthcare facilities (unless seeking medical attention), residential aged care, childcare facilities or prisons.
• Contact exclusion: Monitor for symptoms for 21 days. Refer to public health for contact management advice which may include quarantine or exclusion from high risk settings, depending on the level of risk. Low risk contacts do not require exclusion.
• Treatment: Mostly self-limiting disease. Treatment varies according to symptoms, consult with infectious disease specialist regarding treatment of cases.
• Immunisation: Vaccination is recommended for people at risk of exposure, especially men who have sex with men. See Mpox (Monkeypox) immunisation and Australian Immunisation Handbook, Department of Health and Aged Care – Mpox (external site).
• Case follow up: Is conducted by Public Health Units (Healthy WA) and the Communicable Disease Control Directorate.

Notifiable disease data and reports

• Notifiable infectious disease dashboard
• General infectious disease reports