Australian authorities have recommended visitors to the forthcoming Sydney Mardi Gras/World Pride event to get vaccinated against Monkeypox ahead of travelling to the event.

According to ABC News, infection cases have dropped in many countries since the peak of last year. In Australia there were no official cases reported in 2023 so far, however with many of the 500,000 visitors coming from countries where cases of Monkeypox are still being recorded, local health authorities have recommend festival attendees to protect themselves by getting vaccinated.

Vincent Cornelisse, a sexual health physician and senior lecturer at the Kirby Institute told the ABC that "It's quite likely we'll see visitors from both of these places come to WorldPride, and there's a real possibility a few of these people might have undiagnosed Monkeypox infections."

Dr Cornelisse said it was unlikely Australia would see a large outbreak of the disease, but that it made sense for people to take precautions because of "how uncomfortable" an infection could be, as well as the potential for more serious complications.