Australian states are currently experiencing outbreaks of clade IIb mpox, including New South Wales
Mpox (or monkey pox) is a virus similar to smallpox but less severe, and it has been spreading globally outside of Central and Western Africa (where it is normally found) since 2022.
Many New Zealanders are expected to be attending the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, and the National Public Health Service has issued a public health advisory to be alert for mpox symptoms in those who have attended.
See below for information on:
Symptoms of mpox
Timeframe for developing symptoms
Transmission of mpox
Most at risk of mpox
What if you have symptoms
How to protect yourself against mpox
Symptoms of mpox?
Symptoms may include flu-like symptoms:
Swollen lymph nodes
Fever
Muscle aches
Fatigue
And/or lesions:
Lesions/spots/pimples/blisters/skin changes/rash form on the body
These fill with fluid, then crust over, then flake off eventually
May be painful and/or itchy
May take a few weeks to heal
You may have just 1-2 lesions or more
And/or anal and rectal (anorectal) symptoms:
Pain
Bleeding
Discharge
Timeframe for developing symptoms?
After exposure to mpox, symptoms can take anywhere from 5-21 days to show, but usually show between 7-14 days.
Transmission of mpox?
Mpox can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, through contact with skin lesions/rashes, through bodily fluids (e.g. saliva), and through sheets, clothing, towels, or other objects that have come into contact with the virus.
Most at risk of mpox?
Anyone can be at risk of mpox, but the people most at risk and affected by the virus are gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) and their sexual partners. The Burnett Foundation Aotearoa explains:
"Sex can make transmission easier because of skin-to-skin contact and the transfer of bodily fluids such as saliva or semen during sex. Skin lesions may not be obvious or may be in places where they are not visible initially, and therefore some people may not know they have mpox and may be infectious. There have also been some cases that are asymptomatic. GBM are often closely connected through close sexual networks in a relatively small population. We also know that cases of mpox among GBM were successfully identified thanks to vigilance about sexual health - this is something our communities are great at."
What if I have symptoms?
Seek medical advice if you think you may have symptoms of mpox. You can contact us if you are an enrolled patient (please call our nurse line to be triaged first) or visit an After-Hours clinic; standard consultation fees will apply.
Or you can schedule a free appointment with the Wellington Sexual Health Service by calling them on 0800 188 881.
Your clinician will discuss your symptoms with you and arrange testing if appropriate.
Testing for mpox is considered if you:
Have one or more unexplained lesions
OR
Have anorectal symptoms (pain, bleeding, discharge)
AND you have experienced one or more of the following risk factors in the past 21 days:
Close contact with an mpox case
Engaged in sexual or intimate activity in a country where mpox is endemic or there is sustained transmission of mpox
Engaged in sexual or intimate contact with:
Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men; or
Individuals at an event associated with mpox cases; or
Two or more partners
An important message from the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa relating to testing for mpox:
"It is important that our conversations about mpox and GBM are never stigmatising. It can be easy to associate the spread of infections with moral judgements about people’s sexual behaviours or sexualities. There is no shame in acquiring mpox, and avoiding transmitting mpox is a good thing. Stigma is counterproductive to the collective need to identify cases and contain spread as it could cause people to avoid appropriate healthcare!"
Planning to attend the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras?
See the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa's advice on how to protect yourself from mpox, including the option of mpox vaccination: 3 things we can all do to prevent mpox.
