Australia’s chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, has declared monkeypox (MPX) a disease of national significance. The announcement was made in a statement this morning.

“I have declared the unfolding situation regarding monkeypox in Australia to be a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance,” said Kelly.

The announcement followed the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the global situation regarding MPX to be a public health emergency of international concern.

Kelly said the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) indicated more than 20,000 MPX cases in 71 countries that have not historically reported MPX.

The chief medical officers said Australia has had 44 cases, most from returned international travellers.

“It is important to note that although I have declared MPX to be a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance, it is far less harmful than COVID-19 and there have been no deaths reported during the current outbreak outside of countries where the virus is endemic,” he said.

Kelly said that MPX is not transmitted in the same way as COVID-19 – and is far less transmissible.

The statement also said that MPX’s rash and flu-like symptoms are relatively mild and in most cases resolve themselves within two to four weeks without the need for specific treatments.