A second case of mpox linked to the recent Winter Pride Festival has been confirmed. Photo: SERGII IAREMENKO/SCIENCE PHOTO L
Public health officials have confirmed a second case of mpox linked to the recent Winter Pride Festival in Queenstown.
The national clinic director of the public health service, Dr Susan Jack, said it was possible other cases were yet to be confirmed, but the risk of mpox spreading widely in New Zealand remained low.
These cases and others potentially exposed during the festival last month were being supported by the National Public Health Service and Sexual Health Services, she said.
Including today's confirmed case, there have been 55 cases of mpox in New Zealand since the disease became notifiable in June 2022. Of those, six have been confirmed so far this year.
Medsafe today announced provisional approval for the Mpox vaccine, Jynneos.
It has been used in New Zealand since 2023 as a preventative treatment against mpox for those at greatest risk:
- Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM)
- Trans and non-binary people who have sex with MSM
- Anyone who is a close contact of someone who has been infected with mpox.
People at greater risk of mpox could book a consultation with a health professional at a sexual health service to discuss vaccination, Jack said.
"As the mpox virus can spread through close contact (including intimate / sexual contact) with a person with mpox, we also strongly urge anyone with symptoms to refrain from sexual activity and seek support.
"Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to mpox, or who develops symptoms, especially a rash, should seek medical advice."
Minister of Health Shane Reti said the government was taking immediate action on its response to mpox, including improving access to vaccines.
"Mpox is obviously a global public health concern at present, and while the overall risk in New Zealand remains low, it's important our country is responding appropriately and has monitoring and resourcing in place," Dr Reti said.
Associate Minister of Health David Seymour said Medsafe's provisional approval meant New Zealand joined countries that had approved the use of the vaccine.
"In Australia the use of the vaccine has been allowed under an exemption provision in their medicine regulatory legislation.
"Medsafe says the provisional approval, based on the information provided by Health New Zealand, means the vaccine meets acceptable standards for efficacy, quality and safety when used for groups at risk of mpox."
Reti said Health New Zealand had "worked closely" with Medsafe and the vaccine-maker to get this approval "over the line".
"Health NZ is reporting to me daily, and an incident management team has been stood up at national level to coordinate the public health response.
"Management and support of cases, treatment and other operational activities continues to be managed at regional level."
University of Auckland professor Mark Thomas said the disease lasted about two weeks and could cause significant discomfort at the site of initial infection, but was very rarely fatal.
It could take someone up to 10 days to start developing symptoms which are similar to a flu-like illness and may include fever, aches and pains, feeling tired and a loss of appetite.
Symptoms
Health NZ said most people with mpox developed a rash or other skin change known as lesions. Lesions are spots, bumps, blisters or sores, usually around the face, hands, feet, mouth, throat, genitals and anus.
The sores usually go through stages - they appear flat, they become solid and raised or bumpy, they fill with fluid, crust over and eventually flake off. The lesions were often painful and itchy, and could take a few weeks to heal.
Pain, bleeding or discomfort in the anus was a possibility.
Some people also experienced flu-like symptoms early on, including:
- swollen lymph nodes
- fever
- muscle aches
- tiredness