Curbing the spread as mpox cases skyrocket

Mpox cases are surging in Australia. An expert reveals how pharmacists can address the rising spread.

When mpox was first reported in Australia in May 2022, case numbers remained relatively low for the better part of 2 years.

However, in 2024 there has been a significant spike in case numbers in several Australian states and territories, with New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia all seeing rising locally acquired notifications.

In September, it was reported that mpox cases grew a staggering 570% since July 2024 –with over 724 cases recorded this year. Yet vaccination rates remain low.

Meanwhile, cases of clade Ib – which has a much higher fatality rate than clade IIb strain spreading in Australia – have been detected in numerous countries around the world, most recently the United States. The worldwide spread of the new clade led the World Health Organisation to declare the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

At this stage, pharmacists can only administer the mpox vaccine in Victoria and the Northern Territory.

However, pharmacists in all jurisdictions have an essential role in raising awareness of vaccine eligibility and dosing schedule, when to get vaccinated and where to get tested – all of which can help to bring down rising case numbers.

Watch the video below to hear sexual health expert Dr Tom Morley explain how pharmacists can go about this in a culturally safe way.