Victoria’s monkeypox cases have DOUBLED, sparking a health alert

Victoria has issued a new monkeypox alert as the number of patients has nearly doubled within two weeks.

On Saturday, 40 cases of monkeypox were reported in Victoria. This is an increase from the 22 cases reported on August 4. There have been 89 cases of the virus, which is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact or by touching contaminated objects, on a national scale.

As the number of cases increases, those at risk, particularly males who have sex with other men, are recommended to take prophylactic steps.

To protect themselves, they should limit their sexual partners and acquire the most recent smallpox vaccine, the Victorian health department said in a statement on Saturday.

Vaccines are available, albeit in limited supply, at a number of sexual health clinics in Victoria.

In May of this year, Australia made its first report of monkeypox.A fresh monkeypox (pictured) warning has been issued in Victoria as cases nearly double within 16 days in the state. Pictured is a case from Congo, AfricaSymptoms of monkeypox include rashes, lesions or sores (pictured), particularly around the genitals

Symptoms include rashes, lesions, and sores, especially in the vaginal area, as well as fevers, pains, and enlarged lymph nodes.

The World Health Organization declared monkeypox an international public health emergency last month.

According to the World Health Organization, there have been more than 35,000 instances of the disease worldwide and 12 deaths.

Of the 89 reported cases of monkeypox in Australia, 40 are in Victoria and 39 are in New South Wales. There are also three instances each in Queensland, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and South Australia.