Queenslandhas confirmed its first-ever case of Mpox Clade 1, a rare and particularly dangerous strain of the virus, marking only the second known detection of this severe variant in Australia’s history. The patient, who recently returned from overseas, was diagnosed at Logan Hospital in the Metro South region. Public health teams are actively engaged in contact tracing to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed to the virus.

Mpox Clade 1 is significantly more severe than Clade 2, the milder strain responsible for most of Australia’s 2022 outbreak. According to infectious diseases expertDr. Paul Griffin,this strain is notorious for causing a more widespread rash, characterized by large blisters or pox-like lesions that can cover the entire body. Patients often experience other severe symptoms, including high fevers. The virus, previously known as monkeypox, primarily spreads through close, prolonged, or intimate contact, which includes skin-to-skin contact, exposure to bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding.

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Authorities have confirmed that the patient is currently in isolation, and there is no immediate threat to the broader community. However, Mpox Clade 1 has been associated with higher rates of complications, including secondary infections, and in rare cases, can be fatal, especially in regions with limited healthcare access. The first Australian case of Clade 1 was reported in New South Wales in May 2025, also involving a traveler returning from Africa. This strain is more prevalent in Central Africa and has seen increased global spread over the past year, prompting heightened surveillance worldwide.

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Mpox is a viral infection similar to smallpox but generally milder, presenting with fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinctive blistering rash. Clade 1 is distinguished by its potential for more severe fever and widespread, larger blisters. The virus can be transmitted through close or intimate contact (skin-to-skin, kissing, sex), contact with lesions or scabs, respiratory droplets during close, prolonged face-to-face interaction, and contaminated items. While anyone can contract Mpox, individuals at higher risk include those with multiple intimate partners, travelers returning from endemic areas, close contacts of confirmed cases, and healthcare and frontline workers. Australia offers free Mpox vaccines to high-risk individuals, with two doses recommended for full protection, available through local sexual health clinics or general practitioners.