Attendees of a Winter Pride festival in Queenstown, New Zealand are being advised to keep an eye out for symptoms of mpox after suspected cases were present at the event.
Health New Zealand issued a statement confirming that while no further cases have been identified, several individuals across the country have been in contact with people known to have mpox.
The Burnett Foundation, New Zealand’s AIDS Foundation, is calling on the community to help contain the outbreak.
Chief Executive Joe Rich urged anyone who attended Winter Pride and is experiencing fever-like symptoms, lesions, or spots in the genital area to refrain from sexual contact and get tested at a sexual health clinic immediately.
“If you’re not symptomatic, there’s no need to worry unless symptoms develop or you’ve been notified as a contact,” Rich said.
He emphasised that in New Zealand, gay, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are at the greatest risk, mirroring the patterns seen in previous outbreaks and those currently circulating in Australia.
Dr Matt Reid, Medical Officer of Health, advised that anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to mpox or develops symptoms, particularly a rash, should stay home and seek medical advice.
Rich highlighted the importance of vaccination in protecting against mpox, which is available for free at sexual health clinics in New Zealand and in most countries for those who meet the high-risk criteria.
However, he noted that the vaccine’s availability is currently limited, with waiting lists at some clinics in the country.
Health New Zealand confirmed that all cases are of the ‘clade II’ variety of mpox, the most common worldwide and generally considered less dangerous than clade I.
Symptoms to Watch For
Health NZ outlined the symptoms of mpox, which typically include a rash or skin changes known as lesions. These can appear as spots, bumps, blisters, or sores, usually around the face, hands, feet, mouth, throat, genitals, and anus. The sores often progress through several stages before healing, which can take a few weeks.
Other symptoms may include:
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness
Health NZ emphasised that symptoms can vary, with some people experiencing a rash without other symptoms or having only a single lesion. Anyone experiencing these symptoms, especially if they attended Winter Pride, is advised to seek medical attention promptly.
Gay Nation will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
Last Updated on Sep 9, 2024
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