A total of ten cases of mpox were detected, among a cohort of 16 males with differing levels of vaccination. Transmission of mpox occurred exclusively among high-risk contacts; no transmission was observed to medium- or low-risk contacts. Laboratory investigations revealed that all cases were of human MPXV clade IIb. Complete vaccination was a protective factor against development of mpox (relative risk = 0.33; 95% confidence interval: 0.06-1.88), compared with partial or no vaccination, after attendance at the high-risk exposure event. This outbreak resulted in 34 contacts, of which one high-risk contact became a secondary case. Findings from this investigation suggest there is less urgency for follow-up of household contacts and other medium- and low-risk contacts of mpox, compared with high-risk contacts. Fostering a rapport during telephone interviews with cases and contacts was found to be crucial to the overall attainment of accurate case histories, highlighting the need for the development of trust when interacting with members of priority groups. This outbreak investigation describes a comprehensive public health response attributed to the coordination of a range of public health workers in the Southeast Queensland area.
Miller et al. (Tue,) studied this question.