Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong says “a number of individuals are under investigation” for demonstrating symptoms similar to monkeypox.
He said where the index of suspicion was high, the individuals were isolated.
“These isolation precautions will remain in place until either the cases are proven negative or if positive, isolation is maintained until lesions have healed well,” Dr Fong said.
He said discussions with their reference laboratory in Melbourne were in place to ensure access to definitive tests.
He said monkeypox was usually a self-limiting illness, however, severe illness could occur in some individuals.
He said they were in discussions with development partners to preposition access to vaccines and medications used to treat monkeypox.
“The ministry has been working with communications and community engagement teams to produce public advisories to help arm ourselves with the knowledge to protect ourselves and to help reduce the chances of spread in our community.”
He said infection prevention protocols had been placed at the border and in community facilities and protocols were initiated to maintain oversight over travellers from select countries to ensure early diagnosis, treatment, and contact tracing.
