Monkeypox information for health professionals and community service providers

If you suspect a patient has monkeypox

Clinicians are asked to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms consistent with monkeypox, particularly in returned travellers, and people who have had contact with a known case of monkeypox. A large proportion of cases detected overseas are among men who have sex with men, however cases are not limited to this group. Anyone who has prolonged close contact with someone who has monkeypox while they are infectious is at risk.

Monkeypox is a notifiable condition in the ACT. If monkeypox is suspected, clinicians should immediately contact ACT Health Communicable Disease Control on (02) 5124 9213 to discuss initial public health management.

For more information, including precautions that clinicians should take when seeing patients who may have monkeypox, see the CHO alert to clinicians for monkeypox.

Vaccination

Eligible people can book their vaccine at the ACT monkeypox vaccination clinics. ACT General Practitioners and community service providers no longer need to refer eligible people for a vaccination.

Additional resources

• Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care resources including information on the JYNNEOS vaccine, monkeypox clinical guidelines and infection prevention and control
• ATAGI clinical guidance on vaccination against monkeypox