Rare Mpox Strain Detected in Overseas Traveller Sparks Health Alert

Hospital Contacts Under Scrutiny as Rare Clade 1 Mpox Identified in Queensland

Authorities are urgently tracing contacts after a traveller arriving from Africa tested positive for a rare strain of mpox, raising concerns about potential exposure among hospital staff and the community.

Health Officials Mobilize Following Mpox Diagnosis

A rare Clade 1 mpox strain was confirmed in an individual who presented at Logan Hospital, south of Brisbane, following a recent return from Africa. While the patient was not considered contagious during their international journey, health officials are working to identify and monitor all potential exposures.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls confirmed that contact tracing efforts are underway for individuals identified in the emergency ward and other locations within the hospital. He stated, “Those close contacts that he has been in contact, including at the emergency ward and in other locations, are being contact traced right now and identified at this stage.”

The patient’s family, including children attending various educational institutions, are currently isolating. “At the moment his family are asymptomatic, that is, they’re not showing any signs of the Clade 1 mpox, but they are isolating,” Mr Nicholls added.

Officials anticipate the number of community contacts to remain stable, but the potential for an increase in identified hospital contacts exists as investigations continue. It is estimated that 19 community contacts and 40 hospital staff may have been exposed.

Understanding Mpox and Transmission

Mpox is a viral illness that typically presents with symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes, often followed by a characteristic skin rash or lesions. The contagious period is defined as starting four days before symptom onset until the skin lesions have fully crusted over, according to Dr Geoffrey Playford from Metro South Hospital Service.

The disease does not transmit easily between people, primarily occurring through close or intimate physical contact. High-risk groups include sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, along with their partners.

Global and National Mpox Context

Globally, the mpox outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation in August 2024. In Australia, mpox was first detected in 2022, with significant case numbers recorded, exceeding 1400 in 2024, according to national surveillance data. Queensland has recorded 135 cases of the Clade 2 strain over the past year.

The detection of Clade 1 mpox in Australia is rare, with only one previous instance reported in May in NSW involving a returning traveller. The Australian government recommends vaccination for individuals travelling to areas with circulating Clade 1 variants, particularly in Central Africa, who anticipate potential sexual contact. Vaccinations are available free of charge through sexual health clinics and general practitioners, with two doses recommended for optimal protection.