Although no additional cases have been identified, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora stated that it is aware of “a number of individuals nationwide… who have had contact with individuals now confirmed to have mpox”.
The Burnett Foundation, formerly known as NZ Aids Foundation and Ending HIV, is calling on the public to help contain the outbreak.
Chief executive Joe Rich advised individuals who were at Winter Pride and are experiencing fever-like symptoms, lesions, or spots in the genital area to avoid sexual contact and seek testing at a sexual health clinic.
Risk is highest among gay, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in New Zealand, according to Rich. He emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention if symptoms develop, especially a rash.
Dr. Matt Reid, Medical Officer of Health, urged those who suspect exposure to mpox or develop symptoms to stay home and seek medical advice from sexual health clinics, GPs, or Healthline.
Vaccination is recommended for protection against mpox and is available at sexual health clinics. Rich noted that vaccination is free for high-risk individuals but may have limited availability at certain locations.
All cases in New Zealand are of the ‘clade II’ variety of mpox, which is the most common globally and generally less severe than clade I.
Symptoms
Health NZ highlighted that most individuals with mpox develop a rash or lesions, which can be painful and itchy. These sores may appear on various parts of the body and can take weeks to heal.
Flu-like symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, muscle aches, and fatigue may also occur in some cases.
It is possible to have a rash without other symptoms or to have just one lesion instead of multiple.
Vaccine Eligibility
Vaccination is recommended for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as transgender and non-binary individuals who have sex with MSM. Close contacts of infected individuals are also eligible for vaccination.
