Five cases of mpox have now been confirmed as of today, linked to the recent Winter Pride Festival in Queenstown.

Testing to date confirms the virus as clade II, said a statement from Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora.

"All of New Zealand’s mpox cases since reporting began in 2022 have to date been clade II."

According to Health NZ, mpox has mostly affected the following groups, who are at greatest risk of contracting the virus:    

-Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM).   

-people who have sex with MSM — this may include people of any gender or sexual identity, whether they are transgender or cisgender, and non-binary people. We also know there is higher risk for those with multiple anonymous sexual partners.   

The health organisation said symptoms of mpox usually show up between one and three weeks after exposure. 

Most people with mpox develop a rash or other skin change. These are known as 'lesions'. Lesions are spots, bumps, blisters or sores. 

Symptoms include: 

-skin lesions — including any around your face, hands, feet, mouth or throat, genitals or anus 

-pain, bleeding or discomfort in your anus. 

Some people also experience flu-like symptoms early on, including: 

-swollen lymph nodes 

-fever 

-muscle aches 

-tiredness. 

The public health advice is as follows: 

-If you think you have been exposed to mpox, or if you develop symptoms, especially a rash, please seek medical advice.  

-Contact your nearest sexual health clinic, GP or healthcare professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice and support.  

Please contact your healthcare professional/GP/or sexual health clinic to inform them that you may have been exposed to mpox. Please do not attend without making contact first.  

"If you are diagnosed with mpox you do not need to isolate. Cover skin lesions (where possible), and refrain from sexual and intimate activity until any lesions have healed completely. 

"Use a condom during sexual activity for three months after your symptoms have gone. Public health services will support you by checking in on your symptoms and providing advice on decreasing the risk to others."

Health NZ said there are two types of mpox, known as clade I and clade II - both have caused current outbreaks in African countries, with a recent increase in clade I cases in Africa leading to WHO recently declaring a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. 

The global mpox outbreak, which started in 2022, was due to clade II and all cases to date in New Zealand and nearby countries have been clade II. 

"Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora wish to reassure the public that the cases related to the festival are not linked to recent clade I cases in Africa."