Queensland has its first confirmed case of monkeypox, but the health risk to the public is very low, authorities say.
A statement from Queensland Health said a person who tested positive to the virus is currently isolating at home in Brisbane under virtual monitoring.
Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness spread person-to-person via close contact.
Queensland Health said contact tracing was underway and authorities would directly contact potential close contacts to the person.
This week, New South Wales health authorities urged people to be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox following the likely transmission of the virus in that state.
Monkeypox was previously associated with travel to Central and West Africa but thousands of cases of monkeypox have been reported from several countries that are not endemic for the virus this year, including several European countries and the United States.
Infection needs to be confirmed by testing the blister fluid or scabs from the skin rash.
These symptoms usually begin seven to 14 days after exposure and most people recover within a few weeks.
Initial symptoms that may be experienced for up to five days include:
- fever
- headache
- back pain and muscle aches
- lack of energy
- swelling of the lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy)
A distinctive rash usually begins within one to three days of getting a fever, with the number of lesions varying from a few to several thousand.
