Health authorities in South Australia have issued a warning to locals after three cases of Mpox, formally called monkeypox, were reported in the state.
Three men, one in his 20s, one in his 30s and one in his 50s, were diagnosed with the highly infectious virus, SA Health announced on Thursday.
The cases are the first locally acquired instances of Mpox in the state since 2022.
Authorities said the risk to the general public is low, with transmission of the virus usually requiring prolonged skin-to-skin contact or contact with contaminated items or surfaces.
It can also be spread through sneezing, coughing, speaking or breathing in close proximity.
A large proportion of those who contract the disease do so through sexual contact.
While Mpox is generally a mild illness, some individuals develop severe cases and require hospitalisation.
Symptoms can occur up to 21 days after exposure and may include fever, chills, tiredness, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash – which can present as vesicles, pustules or ulcers.
According to the World Health Organisation, fever, muscle aches and a sore throat appear first, followed by a rash on the face.
The rash then commonly spreads to the body, eventually reaching the hands and feet, and forms lesions over two to four weeks that fill with infected fluids.
Contact with infected fluids is the primary cause of the disease’s spread.
People with Mpox are considered infectious from the time they develop their first symptoms until after rash lesions have crusted, scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed underneath.
A vaccination against the disease is available, with two doses required for optimal protection. Vaccination helps both reduce the risk of transmission and lessen the severity of any illness.
Vaccines are available for free to eligible groups including close contacts of Mpox cases and all sexually active gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men.
Paracetamol and maintaining good hydration is often enough to deal with mild cases, but seeking advice from a medical professional is recommended to ensure comprehensive treatment.
There have been 67 recorded cases of the disease in Australia this year, with 45 reported in Victoria.
A global outbreak of the virus in 2022 saw 110 countries report approximately 87,000 cases, according to the WHO, with 112 people dying from the disease.