Authorities in two Australian states have issued urgent health alerts over an infectious disease after confirming new cases had been detected.
Health officials have issued a public warning for measles in Sydney.
It follows a woman contracting the disease in Western Sydney.
It is believed she picked up the case from an infant who was diagnosed earlier this month.
Multiple exposure sites have been flagged across Sydney including Westpoint Blacktown.
Authorities are advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms, but say there is no ongoing risk to the public.
Authorities in New South Wales on Friday revealed there had been three cases of mpox this week – the first cases of the disease in the state since January.
The confirmation came a day after South Australia Health announced the state had recorded its first mpox cases since 2022.
NSW Health said the new cases in the state “are related to current mpox outbreaks interstate”.
Since a global outbreak in May 2022, cases of mpox, previously known as monkeypox, have mainly affected gay and bisexual men.
New cases of mpox, previously known as monkeypox, have been detected in NSW. Picture: Supplied
NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, said men who have sex with men should be vigilant for mpox symptoms, which can occur up to 21 days after exposure.
Symptoms include small pimple-like skin lesions on the body including the genitals and buttocks, while some people also have a mild fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, headache, mouth ulcers or rectal pain.
Mpox is spread from person-to-person through close personal contact, including sexual contact, with an individual considered infectious until a fresh layer of skin has formed once the lesions have crusted and the scabs have fallen off.
“Please see your GP or visit a sexual health clinic should symptoms develop,” Dr McAnulty said.
“Mpox vaccine is recommended for all sexually active men who have sex with men, so get a vaccine if you haven’t already been vaccinated.
Health authorities are urging those who are at risk of mpox to ensure they are vaccinated. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP
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“It is important to note two doses of vaccine are required, so anyone who has only received one dose should get a second dose at least 28 days after the first.”
The vaccine is offered free of charge.
South Australia’s Deputy Director of the Communicable Disease Control Branch, Dr Louise Flood, also encouraged those at risk of mpox to ensure they are vaccinated.
“We encourage anyone who is eligible to get their vaccination now to protect themselves against mpox,” she said.
“The risk to the public is low. Mpox is not easily transmitted from person to person without prolonged close or intimate contact.
“If you do think you have mpox, seek medical advice and get tested.”
A man in his 20s, a man in his 30s and a man in his 60s in South Australia were all confirmed to have mpox this week, with all cases locally acquired.
Health authorities in Victoria earlier this month said there had been 24 cases in the state since April 18, with 21 of those locally acquired.