Mpox

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral disease that causes skin rashes and changes known as “lesions”. Lesions can be spots, bumps, blisters or sores. Mpox is is uncommon in Aotearoa New Zealand and not easily spread from person to person. The risk of catching mpox here is low. 
 
When mpox does spread, it’s usually spread through contact with the blisters or lesions of someone who has mpox. This usually happens because of: 

• Close body contact or sex
• Touching someone else’s mpox skin rashes, lesions, or scabs
• Kissing 
• Touching the clothing, bedding, or towels used by someone with mpox lesions
• Direct contact with mpox skin lesions or scabs

There’s a low risk of mpox spreading through spit droplets when a person talks, breaths, coughs, or sneezes, and there’s some evidence that mpox can spread through other bodily fluids, like semen.

Symptoms of mpox usually show up 1-3 weeks after exposure. The main symptom of mpox is the rash and skin lesions. 
 
The first symptoms you notice might be flu-like symptoms, for example:

• Swelling under your armpits
• Fever
• Achy muscles and body
• Tiredness 

After that, you could notice: 

• A spreading rash 

The mpox rash usually starts at the place of infection and then spreads to other parts of the body. 

You might get a rash on:

• The palms of your hands
• The soles of your feet
• Inside your mouth
• Your genitals or anus, or around your genitals or anus

If you are concerned you may have mpox, stay at home and call your GP, Healthline (0800 611 116) or you local Sexual Health Service. 

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

Call your GP, Healthline (0800 611 116) or your Sexual Health clinic for more information. If your healthcare provider thinks you might have mpox, they will ask you about your symptoms, exposure to people who might have mpox, and your recent travel.  
 
If you are tested for mpox, you might be told to stay home or away from work while you wait for your results. This is more likely if you have lesions in your mouth or lesions that are hard to cover – like blisters on the face or hands. 

Mpox and fertility

Mpox is still a pretty new virus, so there's not a lot of research about whether it has any effect on fertility – your ability to get pregnant.

Mpox and pregnancy

Some mpox symptoms, like the rash, can be mistaken for conditions related to pregnancy. If you have mpox while you're pregnant, you might be at a higher risk for severe complications like miscarriage and stillbirth. It's also possible for mpox to be transmitted to the foetus during pregnancy.

Mpox and pēpi

Direct contact between a parent with mpox and a newborn should be avoided. The virus can be transmitted through close contact and can cause neonatal mpox, which can be very dangerous.

What can you do?

If you're worried you might have mpox, you should isolate from others. Call your GP, Healthline (0800 611 116) or your local Sexual Health Service for advice.

Wear a mask. If you have a rash or blisters, make sure they are covered. It’s important to avoid close contact until you get treatment from your nurse or doctor.

Condoms, and oral dams are good protection against mpox — but they don’t necessarily prevent mpox transmission. This is because mpox can also be passed from person through skin-to-skin contact, contact with a mypox case’s lesions, or contact with clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with mpox.

Health New Zealand has more information about mpox, and how to protect yourself from mpox. 

If you have mpox symptoms, especially a rash, and you think you might have mpox, you should stay home until you talk to your GP, Healthline (0800 611 116) or your local Sexual Health Service for advice.

If you do test positive for mpox, you might not need to isolate, but you may be asked to stay home if your lesions are in a place that’s difficult to keep covered (like your mouth or hands). Your close contacts will also need to be notified, so they can get any necessary health advice and support. 
 
If you have a rash or blisters, make sure they are covered until they are fully healed. It’s important to avoid close contact — including sex — until you get treatment from your nurse or doctor and have no more mpox symptoms. Health New Zealand has more information about mpox, and how it’s treated.