Monkeypox

A few cases of Monkeypox have been detected in Aotearoa and a larger outbreak is occurring in Australia.

Update from Public Health South

To help stop the spread and keep people safe and healthy, it is important that people know the symptoms to look out for, how it is transmitted 

 Symptoms
Symptoms can start to occur between 5-21 days after exposure. The main symptoms to look out for are:

• swollen lymph nodes
• fever
• muscle aches
• fatigue
• 1-3 days after the start of fever, lesions develop, which are spots on the skin that fill with fluid, crust over, and eventually fall off - this usually takes around 3 weeks

 Anyone with these symptoms who suspects they could have come into contact with the Monkeypox virus should seek medical care immediately.
 
Transmission
Monkeypox can be transmitted through contact with skin lesions, skin-to-skin contact and the transfer of bodily fluids such as saliva. It can also be transmitted through sex but is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Contaminated objects such as sheets, towels and clothing can also carry the virus.
 
Monkeypox can be transmitted by a person when they have skin lesions and possibly when they have earlier symptoms such as a fever so, please encourage anyone who has even mild symptoms to seek healthcare support. Remember, it can take three weeks from exposure for symptoms to develop.

Seeking healthcare
If you are having conversations with anyone about Monkeypox, please encourage people to reach out and seek health care from local healthcare teams.
 
 Healthline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 0800 611 116

For more details go to here