The World Health Organization has followed the decision of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to declare MPOX a public health emergency.
described it as very worrying. Less than 24 hours after the World Health Organization declared the new strain of MPOX a virus and a global public health emergency, the first case outside of Africa was confirmed in Sweden, according to the Swedish government.
The WHO warns of the risk of more cases in Europe and around the world in the coming days. In Australia, this current strain has not yet been found, but experts strongly recommend that those at risk be vaccinated against the previous strain, as the number of cases in 2024 will surpass all previous years. With more than of the first strain, which was recorded years ago, with a sharp increase in cases reported among , indicating a shift in transmission dynamics.
SBS Portuguese has talked with Dr Karen Chee, a specialist staff member at the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit, explains that the virus can be transmitted in several ways.
It spreads by contact. Humans come into contact with animals that may carry the MPOX virus. So if they come into contact with these animals or eat contaminated meat called bushmeat from these animals, people can become infected with MPOX. We have also recently discovered that MPOX can be transmitted through sexual contact between people and if you live in the same household as someone who is infected with the virus.Dr Karen Chee, a specialist staff member at the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit
Almost all cases recorded in Australia are among gay and bisexual men, men who have sex with men. Credit: picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty I
MPOX was previously called monkeypox because it was caused by the monkeypox virus. It has been around for a while and is mainly used in cold cases in certain African countries, for example, the Democratic Republic of Congo. But in recent years it has also spread to countries outside of Africa. So, especially for the situation in Australia, the first case of MPOX was detected in 2022.
Group of risk:
Dr Chee points out that most of our cases in Australia have been through sexual contact. “All of the cases have been recorded in Australia, they have been infected through sexual contact, and the people most at risk of contracting MPOX in Australia are gay and bisexual men, and men who have sex with men.” The other people at risk are the sexual context of these men and sex workers.
The current strain in Africa causes a more severe disease with a higher risk of death. The strain in Australia (so far) causes a less severe disease. And most people recover within a few weeks.Dr Karen Chee
Mpox patient Nduwimana Samuel (28) reacted at the Mpox treatment center of Kamenge University Hospital in Bujumbura on 22 August 2024. Source: AFP / TCHANDROU NITANGA/AFP via Getty Images
Symptoms can present in a variety of ways, but most people have lesions on their bodies. “So they can appear as pimples before they become blisters and it is related to where on the body they have had contact. It can affect the anogenital region or the mouth or other parts of the body,” says Dr Chee.
NSW Health. SHPN (HPNSW) 221120
The severity of symptoms depends on whether they are vaccinated or not. Because of this, the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Health Unit strongly recommends that people in the highest-risk group get vaccinated.
“We find that people who are not vaccinated can have earlier symptoms such as fever, and generally feel unwell and very tired before they develop blisters on their skin,” says Dr Karen.
How to get tested and vaccinated?
People can get tested as soon as possible in Australia at any public sexual health clinic, and there is no need for a Medicare card to do so. The vaccination is also free for anyone, with no need for a Medicare card.
“It is also done at public sexual health clinics. We strongly encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated.” So, we are talking about sexually active gay and bisexual men, their sexual partners of any gender, and workers get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. There are two doses of the vaccine, the second dose must be given at least 28 days after the first,” says Dr. Karen Chee.
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