Five mpox cases now with links to Queenstown pride festival

Three further cases of mpox have today been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases of the virus with a link to Queenstown's Winter Pride Festival to five.

Health New Zealand says testing confirms all cases of the virus to be clade II, considered to be less severe than the clade I type.

The virus is a growing concern globally, and outbreaks are particularly impacting some countries in central and east Africa.

Health New Zealand is warning some population groups are at greater risk form the virus than others, including gay, bisexual and other men with have sex with men, as well as people who then have sex with these men, and people who have multiple anonymous sexual partners.

It says symptoms of mpox usually show up between one and three weeks after exposure, with most people developing a rash or skin lesions.

People can also experience pain, bleeding or discomfort in the anus, and flu-like symptoms of fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and tiredness early on.

On Wednesday Minister of Health Shane Reti and Associate Minister of Health David Seymour announced provisional approval by Medsafe for mpox vaccine Jynneos, while acknowledging the overall risk in New Zealand from the virus remains low.

In a statement, Mr Seymour says, "Medsafe’s provisional approval will mean it will provide greater access opportunities for those who need it".

Public health advice for anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to mpox, or has developed symptoms, is to seek medical advice from a sexual health clinic, GP or healthcare professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice and support.  

People diagnosed with mpox do not need to isolate, but skin lesions should be covered where possible and sexual and intimate activity refrained from until any lesions have healed completely. For three months after symptoms have gone a condom should be used during sexual activity.