The Department of Health has launched a new mpox awareness campaign to encourage sexually active people to understand their risk and take steps to protect themselves and their partners.
Running from July to September 2026, the campaign aims to increase awareness of the risk of mpox transmission and promote vaccination, testing and safer sex practices among people at higher risk of exposure.
While previous mpox cases in WA have predominantly occurred among men who have sex with men (MSM), recent cases have been notified in heterosexual men and women. The virus can spread through close physical or sexual contact and can affect a broad range of sexually active people.
Mpox can also spread through prolonged face-to-face contact and touching contaminated items such as clothing, bedding or towels.
Most people recover within 2 to 4 weeks. Symptoms can include a rash or lesions, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache and muscle aches. As symptoms can vary, early testing and diagnosis remain important.
Healthcare providers are encouraged to support the campaign by sharing trusted information about mpox with their communities and networks.
Mpox is an urgently notifiable disease in Western Australia and suspected cases should be reported to a Public Health Unit.
