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The position statement from the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC),Mpox, also includes several recommendations to control the spread of the virus in healthcare and community settings. Cleaning precautions, isolation recommendations, and transmission-base precautions are also advised by the College.
“Mpox is a rare but serious zoonotic disease,” said ACIPC President A/Prof Stéphane Bouchoucha, “it’s endemic to Central and West Africa, and similar to the smallpox virus. The disease is considered to be self-limiting, and most cases will resolve on their own and can be managed within the community, however cases of severe illness can present to hospital.”
Signs and symptoms include fever and chills, headache, muscle aches, joint and back pain, exhaustion and a distinctive rash with lesions that turn into pimples, blisters or sores. Transmission from person to person can occur through close contact with the rash, blister or sores on the skin, body fluids including respiratory droplets, and contaminated objects, including bed linen and clothes.
At most risk are people who have had close contact with mpox, men who have sex with men, people with multiple sexual partners, and travellers returning from countries with confirmed cases.
“Vaccination is an important strategy to prevent the spread of mpox, and vaccines are available at sexual health clinics and some hospitals,” A/Prof Bouchoucha said. “Healthcare facilities must prioritise Infection prevention strategies such as early identification, isolation and implementing standard and transmission-based precautions. Importantly, Public Health Units must be notified of cases in line with State or Territory requirements.”
To read the position statement in full, click here.