'Can anyone get it?' All your questions about monkeypox, answered.

It's the other virus we've been hearing about for months.

But while we've all been learning to live with COVID-19, monkeypox cases have been on the rise around the country. 

Over the weekend, health authorities issued a fresh warning about monkeypox in Victoria and New South Wales after new cases were detected.

As of Saturday, Victoria has recorded 40 monkeypox infections, an increase from 22 cases on August 4.

"Just about half of our 40 cases have been acquired within Victoria rather than overseas," said Victorian Deputy Chief Health Officer for Communicable Disease Deborah Friedman.

"We are really the only state in Australia that's seeing such an increase of local transmission."

At-risk groups, including men who have sex with men, are being advised to take preventative measures against the virus, which was first detected in Australia in May.

"The department is closely monitoring cases and contacts to prevent further spread in the community and is encouraging people who may be at risk to take preventative measures, such as limiting sexual partners, exchanging contact information with sexual partners in case it is required for contact tracing and getting vaccinated if they are eligible," said Friedman. 

As cases rise, here's all your questions about monkeypox, answered. 

1. Firstly, what actually is monkeypox? 

Monkeypox (also known as MPX) is a viral zoonotic disease, meaning it can be spread between animals and humans. 

It was first discovered in monkeys in a Danish lab in 1958. A child later became the first human infected with the disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970.

Fast forward five decades to May 2022 and there has been an increase in monkeypox infections around the world. 

In July, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. 

Three days later, Australia followed suit with Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly declaring monkeypox a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance.

The disease mainly spreads from one person to another by direct skin-to-skin contact. However, it can also be spread by breathing in droplets breathed out by someone who has the disease or through contact with contaminated objects, such as bed sheets or towels.

According to NSW Health, monkeypox may also be passed on during sex, with those infected advised to abstain from sex for the duration of their infection.

2. Can anyone get monkeypox?

Anyone can get monkeypox. 

That said, the virus has primarily been affecting sexually active gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

NSW Health is urging "the community, particularly gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), to continue to be vigilant for the symptoms". 

NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Richard Broome said, "Men who have sex with men who are returning from overseas should contact their GP or local sexual health clinic for a check-up when they return as symptoms of monkeypox can be mild." 

He also reminded people with symptoms to avoid close contact with others, including having sex "as condoms are not effective at preventing the transmission of monkeypox".

3. What symptoms do I need to look out for?

Monkeypox symptoms usually begin seven to 14 days after exposure. However, symptoms can start showing up as little as a few days or as long as 21 days, according to NSW Health. 

Symptoms include rashes, pimple-like lesions or sores, fever, chills, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes and exhaustion.

"It starts off with about five days of a flu-like illness with fevers, a bad headache, the glands in your neck being swollen, and then the rash develops, which can cover all parts of the body," Associate Professor Sanjaya Senanayake, an expert in infectious diseases at the Australian National University, previously told The Quicky.

Listen to Associate Professor Sanjaya Senanayake's full interview on The Quicky, Mamamia's daily news podcast. Post continues below. 

4. How many cases of monkeypox are in Australia?

As of August 18, there are currently 89 cases of monkeypox in Australia.

Of those 89 cases, there are "40 in Victoria, 39 in New South Wales, three in Queensland, three in Western Australia, two in the Australian Capital Territory, and two in South Australia," according to the Australian Government Department of Health. 

However, we know those cases have since increased as NSW recorded three additional monkeypox infections on Sunday, bringing the state's total number of cases to 42.

The three news infections included the state's first locally acquired case and two cases that picked up the virus "within Australia". 

Around the world, there have been more than 35,000 cases of monkeypox recorded, according to the WHO. 

5. Is there a vaccine?

Yes there is. 

Earlier this month, the federal government secured 450,000 doses of the Jynneos smallpox vaccine, with the first delivery of 22,000 doses distributed around the country. 

The remainder of the vaccines will arrive in Australia later this year and into early 2023.

In the meantime, Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said supply was limited.

"Vaccines are currently in short supply but many more doses on the way," he wrote in a tweet on Saturday.

Important update on MPX in Melb. 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. https://t.co/yafB4UZN2v

— Chief Health Officer, Victoria (@VictorianCHO) August 20, 2022

The Victorian government has released a list of priority groups who are eligible to get the vaccine here. 

Meanwhile, in NSW, doctors and other community partners are identifying people who are most at risk from the virus to receive a vaccine as supplies become available.

6. How is monkeypox treated?

Monkeypox symptoms usually last between two-four weeks. 

"Most people with monkeypox only need regular over-the-counter pain medicines and oral fluids and can be monitored by their GP or treating clinician. A few people may need supportive management such as intravenous fluids and treatment to control fever or pain," says NSW Health.

There are also antiviral medications available for people with severe illness.

"If someone is sick in hospital with monkeypox, there are medications you can give. So we're already ahead of the ballgame, compared to COVID," Associate Professor Sanjaya Senanayake told The Quicky. 

Unfortunately, monkeypox can be fatal at times.

According to the WHO, there have been 12 monkeypox-related deaths around the world. 

- With AAP. 

Feature Image: Getty.