A sharp increase in Mpox infections (also known as monkeypox) is worrying authorities in Australia. According to official information, 737 cases of infection have already been registered this year. By comparison, there were only 26 cases last year.
According to the information, most cases have been recorded in the past three months, mainly in southeastern Australia. With the exception of two cases, only men were infected in Australia.
Men in particular are infected
Even in a major global outbreak in 2022, it was mainly men who had sex with men who were infected. In principle, the disease is contagious to everyone through close physical contact.
In Australia, the virus mainly spreads outside the major cities, doctor Matthew Shields told Australian broadcaster ABC. The doctor attributes this to the lower vaccination rate.
The authorities are calling for vaccinations
Australian authorities are now trying to contain the spread of the viral disease by adjusting vaccination recommendations. As a spokesperson for the authority said, “people of all ages who are at risk of becoming infected with Mpox” can now get vaccinated.
In 2022, the virus spread to several countries outside Africa; in Austria there were more than 300 cases. So far, the current outbreak has mainly affected African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Kenya and Uganda, among others.
The WHO has declared a public health emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern in mid-August due to the epidemic.
Source: Krone
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