The government is now operating in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.

Mpox

Mpox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). It spreads through contact with infected people or animals, but you can take steps to protect yourself. We monitor and report on case numbers and trends and provide guidelines to minimise the risk.

For everyone For health professionals

What mpox is

Mpox (formerly called monkeypox) is caused by infection with MPXV, which is related to the smallpox virus. 

Most infections are mild, but in some cases, mpox can cause serious illness.

MPXV has evolved into different types of viruses, named clade I and clade II. Clade I is more likely to cause severe illness and death than clade II.

Why it matters to public health

Mpox has been an important public health problem in some overseas countries for some time. 

In 2022, mpox infections increased globally, and the virus spread to new countries that had not had mpox before. 

In Australia: 

  • the first mpox cases were reported in 2022
  • 144 cases were reported during a 2022 outbreak
  • more than 1,400 cases were reported during a 2024 outbreak
  • most reported infections have been acquired in Australia
  • all cases have been infected with MPXV clade II.

Mpox can be serious, especially for people at greater risk of severe disease. Even for people with mild infections, mpox can be painful and recovery can take many weeks. 

Anybody who is exposed to the virus can get mpox. Many cases in Australia have been among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) or people who have sex with people who are GBMSM.

Reducing stigma around mpox is an important public health priority. People at increased risk of exposure need appropriate information and support.

Because of these impacts, we:

Symptoms

If you have severe symptoms or are worried, contact your nearest hospital immediately for urgent medical attention.

Common symptoms include: 

Although some people with mpox don’t get a rash, you can get the mpox rash on any part of your body. 

It can look like pimple-like lesions or sores and goes through several stages as the disease progresses. 

The lesions can be very painful, especially in sensitive areas like the mouth or rectum.

Most people with mpox get better in 2 to 4 weeks.

Mpox can cause serious complications such as:

healthdirect’s symptom checker can help you work out whether you need to seek medical help.

Check your symptoms

Onset of symptoms

Symptoms usually start between 3 and 21 days after getting infected.

How it spreads

Over time, the virus has evolved to spread more easily between people.

Mpox usually spreads during close contact with an infected person. This can include through:

  • direct skin-to-skin contact with the rash, blisters or sores on the skin – this can happen during sexual contact
  • respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing
  • other body fluids, including semen.

Mpox can also spread:

  • through contact with contaminated objects – such as linen and towels – after a person with mpox has used them
  • to the baby during pregnancy
  • to humans from infected animals.

We are still learning about all the ways mpox spreads between people and how often people without symptoms spread the virus to someone else. We monitor the latest evidence.

Infectious period

Mpox can be spread to others from up to 4 days before symptoms start. 

People with mpox are considered infectious:

  • until all scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed – this usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks
  • until all symptoms have gone and 21 days have passed since symptoms began if there are no rashes or lesions
  • for 21 days after a positive test if there are no symptoms.

Prevention

Mpox vaccines are available for people at greater risk of exposure or who have been exposed to mpox within the past 14 days. Read about mpox vaccinations available in your state or territory.

When mpox is circulating in your community

You should:

  • know the symptoms of mpox and what to do if you develop them
  • exchange contact details with sexual partners to help with contact tracing
  • avoid close contact with anybody with mpox symptoms – have open, non-judgemental conversations with anybody you have intimate contact with about any symptoms either of you may have
  • use condoms and perform hand hygiene after condom use – but remember, condoms don’t always protect against transmission
  • discuss preventative mpox vaccination with your healthcare professional.

If you have been in contact with a person with mpox

You should:

  • see your doctor or healthcare provider immediately to discuss post-exposure vaccination – getting vaccinated within 4 days (and at least within 14 days) of being exposed can reduce your risk of severe illness
  • monitor yourself for symptoms for 21 days after you were last exposed
  • regularly wash your hands
  • cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and immediately throw used tissues in the bin
  • avoid settings where there are people at greater risk of severe disease – including childcare, schools and healthcare facilities – except to work or seek medical attention.

If you have had contact with a person with clade I mpox, there may be extra steps you need to take. Your state or territory health department or healthcare professional will advise you.

If you have symptoms you think could be due to mpox

You should:

  • see your doctor or healthcare professional immediately
  • until they have advised you can resume normal activities, you should:
    • avoid close contact – including sexual contact – with other people 
    • avoid contact with animals 
    • keep any sores or lesions covered
    • regularly wash your hands
    • cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and immediately throw used tissues in the bin
    • wear a mask when around people or animals if you have a sore throat, cough or any lesions in your mouth
    • avoid sharing clothes, bedding, towels, cutlery or crockery with other people
    • sleep in a separate bed to other people and use a separate bathroom, if you can.

People who are suspected of having mpox should avoid contact with people at greater risk of severe disease, and going to places where they are, such as childcare, schools and healthcare facilities. Follow your healthcare professional and state or territory health department’s advice.

If you are planning to travel overseas

You should:

Follow the advice of your healthcare professional and state or territory health department if you:

  • have been diagnosed with mpox
  • are suspected of having mpox
  • are told you’ve been identified as a contact of an mpox case.

High-risk groups and settings

Some people are at greater risk of being exposed to mpox or getting very sick from it.

Mpox can spread quickly in certain settings, including:

  • households
  • sex-on-premises venues
  • events or parties involving intimate or skin-to-skin contact.

If you are at greater risk of severe disease, it is especially important to take steps to protect yourself.

People at greater risk of severe disease

Mpox poses a greater risk of severe illness for people who are:

  • children
  • immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system)
  • living with poorly controlled HIV infection
  • pregnant
  • unvaccinated.

Children aged under 10 years are more like to get:

  • more severe skin lesions
  • secondary bacterial infections. 

People at greater risk of exposure

People are more likely to be exposed to mpox if they:

  • live in the same house as someone with mpox
  • travel to areas with mpox
  • work with orthopoxviruses in a laboratory 
  • are healthcare professionals caring for mpox cases or handling contaminated items.

When mpox is circulating in the community, people may be at greater risk of exposure if they are:

  • GBMSM, including transgender and gender-diverse people
  • people of any gender who have sex with people who are GBMSM
  • sex workers.

Read more information for GBMSM and find an mpox vaccination service.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your healthcare professional can diagnose mpox with a test using swabs taken from affected areas. 

They may recommend testing for sexually transmissible infections or other diseases that cause similar symptoms at the same time.

You can use healthdirect’s directory to find a health service near you. 

Find a health service

Most people with mpox have mild symptoms that they can manage at home by staying hydrated and taking over-the-counter pain medication.

Some patients may need to go to hospital for treatment to manage their symptoms or complications.

Read more about how to manage or treat mpox.

Surveillance and reporting

Mpox is a nationally notifiable disease – these are diseases that present a risk to public health.

Health authorities in each state and territory report new confirmed and probable cases to us through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. 

This is part of our surveillance activities, which help us monitor case numbers around the country and understand disease patterns. 

We analyse the data and report on mpox case numbers through our data visualisation tool, where you can filter and search the latest information.

Outbreaks

Public health units respond to mpox outbreaks in high-risk groups and settings. They might:

  • provide information about mpox and its symptoms
  • ask people who were in a place at the same time as a person with mpox to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they develop symptoms
  • recommend post-exposure preventative vaccination or antiviral medication for contacts of mpox cases.

Settings may implement extra infection prevention and control actions to help reduce the spread of mpox. These include:

  • ensuring access to handwashing facilities 
  • providing training in the use of appropriate personal protective equipment 
  • increasing cleaning and disinfection
  • laundering or disposing of soiled items.

Read more about how we define and plan for outbreaks and pandemics.

Support

For more information, see:

For information about mpox and vaccination in your state or territory see:

If you need mental health support, see a list of organisations, websites and services that offer support, counselling and information.

We regularly add new content to this website. This will include more topics and diseases. In the meantime, information about other diseases in Australia is on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website. 

Last updated: