Australia has seen a rapid rise in mpox cases in the past three months, with one health expert concerned that low vaccination rates could be driving a spike outside cities. So far this year, 737 cases have been recorded, with the vast majority of cases occurring in the last few months.
In comparison, there were 26 cases last year and 144 cases in 2022. The majority of this year’s new cases occurred in the southeastern states and only two cases were reported to be women.
A spokesperson for the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care told AFP that cases have been increasing since May this year.
Australia has responded by lifting restrictions on who can be vaccinated, allowing for “people of all ages who are at risk of exposure to mpox” to be eligible.
