Mpox surveillance
Queensland Health publishes regular surveillance reports for mpox cases.
Last updated date: 21 January 2025
Updated ATAGI Clinical Guidance on the use of vaccines for prevention of mpox is now available.
- ATAGI now recommends pre-travel vaccination for anyone (regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity) who may undertake sexual risk activities during travel to countries with transmission of clade I mpox.
- There is good supply of mpox vaccine in Queensland and it is available free of charge to all Queensland Health Immunisation Program (QHIP) registered vaccine service providers. Email QHIP-ADMIN@health.qld.gov.au to order mpox vaccine (or register if not already registered).
- Vaccine providers can be found at mpox (monkeypox) vaccination centres
- Clinicians are encouraged to offer vaccination to all eligible priority populations and to follow-up people who have not had their second vaccination at least 28 days following their first vaccine. Eligibility criteria can be found at mpox (previously known as monkeypox)
The updated mpox National Guidelines for Public Health Units has been published.
Since 1 January 2024, there have been 128 confirmed cases of mpox notified in Queensland . Of these:
- Most cases were acquired in Australia, with the primary transmission route being sexual transmission between men who have sex with men.
Cases have been identified in eight Hospital and Health Service catchments: Darling Downs, Gold Coast, Metro North, Metro South, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, West Moreton and Wide Bay.
Figure 1. Mpox cases notified in Queensland since 1 January 2024, as of 21 January 2025.
Table 1. Characteristics of mpox cases notified in Queensland since 1 January 2024, as of 21 January 2025.
NB: the “overseas” cases were in two overseas visitors to Queensland, who acquired mpox in Queensland.
| Characteristic | N = 1281 |
|---|---|
| Median age (range) | 36 (18, 82) |
| Sex | |
| Female | 2 / 128 (1.6%) |
| Male | 125 / 128 (98%) |
| Other | 1 / 128 (0.8%) |
| First Nations Status | |
| First Nations | 4 / 128 (3.1%) |
| Other Queenslanders | 122 / 128 (95%) |
| Unknown | 2 / 128 (1.6%) |
| HHS of residence | |
| Darling Downs | 5 / 128 (3.9%) |
| Gold Coast | 28 / 128 (22%) |
| Metro North | 50 / 128 (39%) |
| Metro South | 21 / 128 (16%) |
| Overseas | 2 / 128 (1.6%) |
| Sunshine Coast | 10 / 128 (7.8%) |
| Townsville | 1 / 128 (0.8%) |
| West Moreton | 10 / 128 (7.8%) |
| Wide Bay | 1 / 128 (0.8%) |
| Vaccination status prior to exposure | |
| Fully vaccinated | 33 / 128 (26%) |
| Not vaccinated | 82 / 128 (64%) |
| Partially vaccinated | 5 / 128 (3.9%) |
| Unknown | 8 / 128 (6.3%) |
| HIV coinfection | |
| HIV negative | 115 / 128 (90%) |
| HIV positive | 13 / 128 (10%) |
| Place of acquisition | |
| Australia | 124 / 128 (97%) |
| Unknown/Under investigation | 4 / 128 (3.1%) |
| Transmission mode | |
| Sexual transmission | 127 / 128 (99%) |
| Unknown/Under investigation | 1 / 128 (0.8%) |
| Sexual exposure type | |
| Both sexes | 2 / 128 (1.6%) |
| Opposite sex | 4 / 128 (3.1%) |
| Same sex | 119 / 128 (93%) |
| Unknown/Under investigation | 3 / 128 (2.3%) |
1 Median (Min, Max); n / N (%)
For a national mpox epidemiological snapshot, refer to the National Communicable Disease Surveillance Dashboard: https://nindss.health.gov.au/pbi-dashboard/
Additional information
The mpox fact sheet on the Health Conditions Directory:
Fact sheets for cases and contacts:
- Information for people with mpox (health.qld.gov.au)
- Information for contacts of mpox (health.qld.gov.au)
Primary Care clinicians are encouraged to access their local HealthPathways platform for further information.