Health authorities issue warning as Mpox cases in WA reach higher levels than last year

A spike in Mpox cases has lifted the number of cases within WA this year beyond the number for all of 2025.

Its led WA health authorities to issue a fresh warning about the viral infection, which spreads through close physical contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin contact, intimate or sexual contact, contact with contaminated materials such as bedding or towels, and prolonged face-to-face contact.

WA has recorded 36 cases of Mpox this year.

In 2025 there was 28 cases while in 2024 there was 23 infections.

While the majority of reported cases have been in gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men, several infections have also been identified in heterosexual men and women this year.

Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, tiredness and a rash or skin lesions, which may be painful.

Anyone with symptoms should avoid close physical contact with others and seek prompt medical assessment.

Director of the Communicable Disease Control Directorate Paul Armstrong said awareness, using condoms, early testing and vaccination remained the best ways to limit the spread of Mpox.

“While most infections continue to occur in specific higher-risk groups, Mpox can affect anyone who has close physical contact with an infected person,” he said.

“It’s important that anyone who develops symptoms, particularly an unexplained rash or skin lesions, seeks medical advice promptly and avoids close contact with others until they have been assessed.

“We are encouraging people who are eligible for vaccination to ensure they are fully protected by receiving both doses of the vaccine.”

Mpox vaccination is available free to people whose sexual practices place them at increased risk of Mpox infection.

More information about Mpox, including eligibility for vaccination, is available on the HealthyWA website.