ACT records two monkeypox virus cases in returned travellers
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has today reported two cases of the monkeypox virus in residents who recently returned from Europe.
The illness is endemic to west and central Africa but has been spreading more widely through Europe, Australia and other parts of the world in recent months.
ACT Health said both cases have reported mild symptoms and are isolating at home.
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ACT Chief Health officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said two residents have been infected with monkeypox but the risk of community transmission is low. Jamila Toderas
The community transmission risk remains low and ACT Health is continuing to undertake contact tracing.
No high-risk contacts have been identified.
ACT Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman said monkeypox infections are rare and not easily spread between people, usually requiring direct skin-to-skin or prolonged face-to-face contact.
"Illness associated with the monkeypox virus is usually mild, although complications can occur," Dr Coleman said.
The viral disease appears as a distinctive rash on the skin, often accompanied by fever, muscle aches swollen lymph nodes and chills.
The illness, which typically lasts two to four weeks, will usually appear in the head and neck area, but can spread to eyes, hands and feet.
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The symptoms of monkeypox are typically a distinctive skin rash often accompanied by fever, muscle aches swollen lymph nodes and chills. AP
The rash changes and goes through stages, like chickenpox, before finally becoming a scab.
Monkeypox first appeared in Australia earlier this year in New South Wales and Victoria.
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