The first locally acquired cases of monkeypox were detected in NSW, raising alarm bells among public health authorities in a time of global vaccine shortages. The state recorded three more cases of monkeypox Sunday, taking its caseload total to 42.

They included one case that acquired its infection in New South Wales and two that picked up the virus “within Australia”. A spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Health said the criteria and supplies for selection were limited in August and September while the state was waiting on larger supplies from the vaccine manufacturers.

ACON, a health organisation specialising in HIV responses to those with different sexualities and genders, has supported NSW Health with vaccine distribution. ACONs chief executive, Karen Price, said the LGBT+ community had a “great deal of anxiety” about the virus.