A new case of mpox, likely linked to the recent Winter Pride Festival in Queenstown, has been confirmed, Health NZ announced today. This brings the total number of mpox cases in New Zealand to 54 since the disease became notifiable in June 2022, with five cases reported this year.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Dr. Susan Jack, National Clinical Director, mentioned that the National Public Health Service is investigating the situation, as multiple attendees of the Winter Pride Festival, including the individual confirmed today, may have come into contact with people who later tested positive for mpox overseas.
While there could be more cases identified, Dr. Jack emphasized that mpox is a rare infection, and the overall risk of it spreading widely in New Zealand remains low. She advised anyone who believes they might have been exposed to mpox or develops symptoms, especially a rash, to seek medical advice. Since the virus spreads through close contact, including intimate or sexual contact, those with symptoms should avoid sexual activity and seek medical support.
Mpox typically causes a rash or skin lesions, which can appear on various parts of the body, including the face, hands, feet, mouth, throat, genitals, and anus. These lesions can be painful and itchy, and may take several weeks to heal. Some people also experience flu-like symptoms, such as swollen lymph nodes, fever, muscle aches, and fatigue.
Health NZ also highlighted that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as trans and non-binary people who have sex with MSM, are eligible for the mpox vaccine. Close contacts of infected individuals are also encouraged to get vaccinated.
There are two types of mpox, known as clade I and clade II. While both have caused recent outbreaks in African countries, there are no reported cases of clade I in New Zealand or nearby regions.