About Mpox (monkeypox)

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a viral disease that can be transmitted by close contact with skin lesions (lumps or bumps that can turn into pimples, blisters or sores), body fluids (eg, saliva), respiratory droplets and contaminated materials.

Mpox is zoonotic, which means it can pass between animals and humans. 

Mpox was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has been endemic in Western and Central Africa for many years. 

A global mpox outbreak commenced in May 2022. Cases have now been reported in more than 100 countries. See mpox outbreak 2022 on the World Health Organisation website.

 Cases of mpox in New Zealand

• The total number of confirmed cases reported in New Zealand as of 2 February 2023 is 42. This includes 11 cases with infections acquired overseas and 31 identified as community transmission.
• The general risk remains very low. While anyone can get mpox, New Zealand’s outbreak so far has mostly affected people who have multiple or anonymous sexual partners, particularly men who have sex with men and their sexual partners.

Find out more on Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand.

Mpox is a rare infection and the risk of it spreading widely in New Zealand remains low as it is not very contagious. 

Mpox is generally transmitted through:

• close physical, intimate or sexual contact with someone who has mpox, via skin-to-skin contact
• direct contact with the skin rashes, lesions or scabs, or bodily fluids (eg, saliva) of someone with mpox
• touching the clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with an mpox rash.

Mpox can also be passed on through breathing in droplets that have been exhaled by someone who has the virus.

As this requires prolonged contact and for people to be very close together, the risk of the virus spreading in this way is very low. It is uncertain whether mpox is also spread through other bodily fluids (eg, semen). 

Mpox has the potential to pass between animals and humans, although this is extremely rare. 

People most at risk 

Typically, a person with mpox is infectious and can pass the virus on to others from when they first develop symptoms until their lesions or scabs crust, dry or fall off. The infectious period will normally last for around two to four weeks.

Outside of very close contacts, the virus is not very contagious and the risk of the virus spreading widely remains low.

While anyone can get mpox, New Zealand’s outbreak so far has mostly affected people of any gender who have multiple or anonymous sexual partners.

Men who have sex with men and their sexual partners have been disproportionately impacted. There is higher risk for these people.

Most people with mpox will develop a rash or other skin changes on the infection site such as lesions – lumps or bumps that can turn into pimples, blisters or sores.

These may spread to other parts of the body such as the palms of the hand, soles of the feet, inside the mouth, or on the genitals.

Other common symptoms can include:

• cold and flu symptoms such as a fever, chills or swollen glands
• headache
• muscle and body aches
• backache
• tiredness.

The rash associated with mpox may be generalised or localised and typically progresses through four stages:

• macular – flat, discoloured lesions
• papular – solid, raised lesions
• vesicular – fluid-filled lesions
• pustular – pus-filled lesions.

Once the rash associated with mpox has progressed through these stages, the lesions typically turn to scabs that will crust, dry or fall off.

Mpox symptoms usually resolve by themselves within two to four weeks.

Advice for people with mpox symptoms 

If you think you may have been exposed to mpox or if you develop symptoms, especially a rash, you should stay home, self-isolate and seek medical advice.

You can contact your nearest sexual health clinic, your GP, or Healthline free on 0800 611 116, which offers interpreter services.

When your call is answered, you can say you'd like an interpreter and the language you’d like to speak in.

If you need to visit a medical practice or hospital for care, you should call ahead before visiting to let them know you are coming and tell them about your symptoms.

To avoid passing on mpox to others, wear a well-fitted medical mask, cover any rashes or blisters on your skin, and travel via private transport.

Getting tested

Tests can be carried out at a sexual health clinic, primary care or urgent care clinic and normal consultation fees may apply. 

You cannot get an mpox test from a COVID-19 Community Testing Centre. 

Mpox is tested for by swabbing the rash, skin lesions or other sites such as the throat.

The test needs to be carried out by a healthcare professional and cannot be done by a patient themselves. 

You may need to stay home and self-isolate while you’re waiting for your result, depending on your symptoms and circumstance at the time the test is taken.

It’s recommended people avoid direct physical contact with others until test results are received. 

Positive cases are then referred to the local Public Health Unit who will contact affected people to provide them with support and guidance.

Many diseases cause similar symptoms so it may not be mpox, but it’s important to get checked.

Be mindful if you have travelled internationally.

While anyone can get mpox, New Zealand’s outbreak so far has mostly affected people who have multiple or anonymous sexual partners, particularly men who have sex with men and their sexual partners.

To reduce the risk of catching mpox:

• check you’re feeling healthy and have no mpox symptoms before having close physical or sexual skin-to-skin contact with others
• avoid close physical or sexual skin-to-skin contact with someone who has mpox or mpox symptoms
• avoid direct contact with the skin rashes, lesions or scabs, or bodily fluids (eg, saliva) of someone with mpox
• avoid physical contact with the clothing, bedding or towels of a person with mpox
• swap contact details with the people you have close physical or sexual contact with, so if either of you develop mpox symptoms you can let each other know
• consider having fewer casual sexual partners for a while and space sexual contacts a bit more, to give time for symptoms to show before you have close contact with someone new.

For more tips on sex positive ways to reduce your risk visit The Ministry of Health website.

Safe sex advice

While wearing a condom is good safe sex practice, it does not necessarily prevent mpox transmission.

This is because mpox can also be passed from person to through physical or sexual skin-to-skin contact, contact with a mpox case’s lesions, or contact with clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with mpox.

Infection prevention and control measures

Infection prevention and control measures can reduce the risk of transmission of mpox.

The measures include isolation, hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning, and management of laundry and rubbish.  

See detailed guidance on infection prevention and control for mpox for:

• people isolating at home
• people isolating in accommodation
• accommodation providers
• sex-on-premises venues
• healthcare providers and health settings

Avoid contact with animals 

Mpox has the potential to pass between animals and humans, although this is extremely rare.

As a precautionary measure, anyone who is a probable or confirmed mpox case should avoid close contact with animals, including domestic animals at home (such as cats, dogs, and ferrets), livestock, and other captive animals, as well as wildlife.

People with mpox should be particularly vigilant around animals known to be susceptible to the mpox virus such as rodents.

It is also important to ensure that all rubbish, including medical waste, is not accessible to rodents and other scavenger animals and is disposed of in a safe manner.

More information is available from the World Organisation for Animal Health. 

Mpox in Aotearoa - Poster (PDF, 101 KB)

Mpox key information - Factsheet (PDF, 178 KB)