Victoria's deputy chief medical officer (communicable diseases) and Associate Professor Deb Friedman says most people are not at risk of acquiring monkeypox.
"It would be almost impossible to get monkeypox from shaking somebody's hand. It would be extremely unlikely and I can't imagine that happening. And I don't think it has happened anywhere in the world," Professor Friedman tells SBS.
"It requires intimate and prolonged skin-to-skin contact. And when I say skin-to-skin, I don't just mean hand-to-hand, but I think a lot more skin on your body.
So, it's not going to happen on public transport. It's not going to happen by casually walking past somebody. And it's not going to happen by having a meal with somebody.
However, experts and governments still suggest avoiding any direct close contact with an infected person.
How does monkeypox spread?
About 98 per cent of global monkeypox cases have been identified among men who have sex with men in the current outbreak, according to the WHO.
Prof Friedman believes Australia is in a similar situation as most cases appear to be in the gay and bisexual communities.
But it doesn't mean that others can't get it.
"It (monkeypox) may be spread by breathing in droplets breathed out by someone who has monkeypox during prolonged close contact, but this is rare," the NSW Health notes.
The US says the infection can occur through direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox.
Direct contact involves oral, anal, and vaginal sex or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus of a person with monkeypox.
Other forms of direct contact involve hugging, massage and kissing.
Expecting mothers can also pass on the virus to their unborn through the placenta.
How to prevent monkeypox?
Experts advise residents to avoid close contact, including objects such as linen or towels, with an infected person and take vaccines if eligible.
People travelling to endemic countries should avoid contact with sick or dead animals that could be infected with the monkeypox virus (rodents, marsupials, primates) and should refrain from eating or handling wild game (bush meat), according to Tasmania Health.
The Australian government says people with probable or confirmed infection should immediately isolate themselves until all blisters or sores have healed, and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
It usually takes about two to four weeks.
Careful hand and respiratory hygiene are recommended for the infected person and everyone in the household. Wash hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
If an infected person cannot isolate alone, they should wear a face mask when around other people.
Prof Friedman says people who have contracted the virus are not required to take the vaccine.
"It's advisable that those at risk of contracting monkeypox get vaccinated to prevent them from getting infected," she said.
The full course is two doses given at least a month apart. The vaccines are highly effective at preventing monkeypox infection.
Who is eligible for the monkeypox vaccine?
Australia has secured a supply of 450,000 third-generation smallpox vaccine JYNNEOS, and the first 22,000 doses have arrived in the country.
Since the supply is limited, states and territories are currently vaccinating a select cohort based on . The select cohorts are:
• People who would be vulnerable if monkeypox became locally endemic. For instance, those members of the gay, bisexual and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (GBMSM) community who are homeless, sex workers and have significant drug use that affects their judgement
• People who are HIV positive and immune suppressed
• Close contact with infected people
• In NSW, a small number of vaccine is available for those GBMSM at highest risk with booked overseas travel to the UK, Europe and North America before 31 October 2022.
LISTEN TO
Do migrants with previous smallpox infection need a monkeypox vaccine?
SBS English
29/08/202214:57
Australians who believe they are eligible for a vaccine should contact their GP for a referral.
In Victoria, monkeypox vaccinations are available at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Thorne Harbour Health, Northside Clinic, Collins Street Medical Centre and Prahran Market Clinic.
Western Australia Health says the vaccine is available through three clinics in Perth. But it can be made immediately available to those at high risk anywhere in the state.
In Tasmania vaccine will be available in late 2022.
States are expected to broaden the eligibility criteria as more vaccines will arrive in Australia in September.
Should people who previously had smallpox take the vaccine?
Prof Friedman says Australia has not seen cases of smallpox for over 100 years. Australia stopped smallpox vaccination in the late 70s.
But there are chances that migrants may have had smallpox before moving to Australia.
What we know is that people coming as migrants may have been vaccinated with a smallpox vaccine when they were children overseas.
"And that will provide them with some protection against monkeypox, and that protection can last for decades. So it's possible that people who are previously vaccinated will be better protected," Prof Friedman says.
How does one know if they have contracted monkeypox?
NSW Health says symptoms of concern include headache, fever, chills, sore throat, muscle and body aches, fatigue, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.
The rash may initially be minimal and look like pimples in the buttock or genital region. If signs or symptoms develop, isolate immediately and seek care.
Victoria Health said the diagnosis should be confirmed through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
What if you have monkeypox symptoms?
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if your symptoms are severe and tell them you may have monkeypox.
Otherwise, residents are advised to self-isolate and immediately call their GP, local sexual health clinic or state health clinic if they have monkeypox symptoms.
NSW Sexual Health Infolink: 1800 451 624
Victoria: 1800 013 952; 03 9257 0100
Queensland: 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
Western Australia: metro callers 61 8 9227 6178, country callers 1800 198 205
South Australia: 1300 883 793, country callers 1800 188 171
Tasmania: 1800 671 738
Australian Capital Territory: (02) 5124 2184
Northern Territory (Royal Darwin Hospital): 8922 8888
HealthDirect Australia: 1800 022 222
