Limit Sexual Partners, Health Officials Urge As Monkeypox Cases Soar In Melbourne

starobserver.com.au:

Victoria’s department of health on Saturday issued a health alert over an emerging monkeypox outbreak in Melbourne and increase in cases of local transmission.

As of August 18, Victoria reported around 40 monkeypox cases, with many due to local transmission. Though monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease, the current outbreak has been predominantly among gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men.

Health authorities now want to urgently reach out to those at risk to make them aware of the outbreak so that they can take preventive measures, while the state waits for more vaccine supplies. “Transmission is skin-to-skin but we owe it to gay and bisexual men to inform them where the risk is now and to support reducing risk.

Vaccines are currently in short supply but many more doses on the way,” Victorian Chief Health Officer, Prof Brett Sutton posted on .