There are no confirmed or suspected cases of human monkeypox in New Zealand as of Friday 20 May. While the risk of monkeypox importation into New Zealand is deemed low, active surveillance is ongoing, the ministry’s webpage updated later Friday said.

“The suspected cases are being investigated in other countries. The source of the community transmission events and whether the international cases are linked are under urgent investigation,” the official said. ministry.

According to the ministry, the majority of community cases currently discovered overseas are gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, Xinhua reported.

“Clinicians are urged to look for signs and symptoms consistent with monkeypox, particularly in returning travelers or individuals with a clinically consistent rash. Telemedicine consultation is recommended whenever possible. Information on all recent travel, sexual history and smallpox vaccination history should be collected,” the ministry said.

Members of the public are advised to seek medical attention if they suffer from a rash-like illness while traveling or on their return to New Zealand or if they have any lesions on their body.

On May 17, 2022, a confirmed case of monkeypox was notified in Great Britain. Since then, cases have been confirmed in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, the United States and Australia.

Read: 4 strategies applied to prevent the monkeypox epidemic

Xinhua

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