NT Health has identified one case of monkeypox in the Northern Territory.
The case is a returned overseas traveller who is currently in isolation in the Top End region and presents no transmission risk to the community.
Monkeypox is a viral disease transmitted through very close contact with an infected person or contaminated objects such as bedding, towels or clothes.
Monkeypox was first reported in Australia on 20 May 2022 and to date 41 cases have been confirmed.
Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache and body aches. These symptoms are usually followed by a distinctive rash (lesions that look like blisters) that may appear on the face, genatalia, inside the mouth, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Most people do not require treatment for monkeypox and fully recover from the virus in a few weeks.
Avoiding close physical contact with infected people is the most effective way to prevent infection.
While the transmission risk of monkeypox in the NT is currently low, it’s important anyone with symptoms seek immediate medical advice.
