Month: May 2022

Key messages

• Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.
• There have been several cases of monkeypox reported internationally and local transmission has occurred among these cases.
• The spread of monkeypox typically requires prolonged face-to-face contact. It may spread from person-to-person through skin-to skin contact, contact with infected surfaces or items, and respiratory transmission.
• There is currently one case of monkeypox identified in Victoria, a man in his 30s who recently returned from the United Kingdom and is isolating away from the community.
• The case was infectious while travelling on the following flights: 
  • flight EY10 which departed London on 14 May and landed in Abu Dhabi at 0615 
  • flight EY462 which departed Abu Dhabi on 15 May and landed in Melbourne at 0545 on 16 May.
• As a precaution, anyone who travelled on these flights is being urged to monitor for symptoms. Anyone developing symptoms should seek medical care, wearing a mask and calling ahead to make sure they can be isolated away from others.
• Clinicians should consider testing for monkeypox in returned travellers with compatible symptoms.