​NSW Health has identified a third case of monkeypox in a NSW resident who recently returned from Europe.

The man in his 50s developed a mild illness several days after arriving back in Sydney.

He presented to his GP with symptoms clinically compatible with monkeypox. Urgent testing results are consistent with monkeypox, making it the third case in NSW. The man is currently isolating at home.

NSW Health is undertaking contact tracing and providing appropriate health advice to any contacts identified.

This case is not connected to the two previously reported cases in NSW.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant praised the skills of the clinicians who identified the symptoms of a virus that until recently had never been identified in NSW.

"Monkeypox does not present a transmission risk to the general community, and has until recently not been an infection most clinicians in NSW would have been looking for or concerned about in their patients," Dr Chant said.

"However, a local GP has once again identified the signs of this virus, and we thank them, and their colleagues, for staying up to date with the latest clinical information to provide care to their patients."

NSW Health continues to work with GPs, hospitals and sexual health services across the state to provide advice on diagnosis and referral.

Monkeypox is endemic to part of Africa. However, the World Health Organization reports that since mid May 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported from several countries that are not endemic for monkeypox virus. Cases have occurred among men who have sex with men as well as other people.

People who develop fever and rash should call ahead before consulting their GP or sexual health service.

​See further information on monkeypox.