Everything you need to know about monkeypox disease

Monkeypox is a viral disease that mostly affects rodents and primates found in rainforest areas of West and Central Africa.

It is closely related to smallpox and can be transmitted to humans.

What is the situation in New Zealand?

The first case of the viral zoonotic disease in New Zealand was announced by the Ministry of Health on Saturday.

The person in their 30s from Auckland is in isolation at home, and has recently returned from overseas travel in a country with reported cases of monkeypox.

A ‘‘very small’’ number of contacts are being advised to watch for symptoms, and there is no evidence of community transmission.

How does the virus spread?

Monkeypox is able to pass from animals to humans.

From there, it can be passed on through close person-to-person interactions, such as sexual or intimate contact with an infected person – including kissing and contact with clothing, or linens used by an infected person.

Direct contact with skin lesions or scabs, or respiratory droplets from an infected individual can also spread the virus.

Cases of monkeypox outside endemic countries have primarily been identified amongst gay and bisexual men.

Symptoms to look out for

If you’re planning on getting up close and personal to someone who has bumps on their skin, you should probably pause and think, is this very wise?

Generally, people in the early days of monkeypox infection will have viral infection symptoms of: headaches, fever, muscle and body aches, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.

‘‘Shortly after, they might get a distinctive rash that begins on the face and spreads to the arm, feet and other parts of the body. This will then form scabs which should fall off after four weeks,’’ said University of Otago epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker.

Once the scabs are off, consider yourself no longer infected.

Is there a vaccine?

‘‘Fortunately, smallpox vaccines works on it very well, because the viruses are closely related. If we needed to vaccinate, that’s what would be used,’’ said Baker.

The ministry is working with Pharmac to explore options for access to smallpox vaccines that can be used as part of the targeted prevention of spread of monkeypox in certain situations.

Self-isolation, case identification, contract tracing and management as well would be crucial in managing the disease, said Baker.

How is it treated?

Most people with monkeypox safely manage symptoms at home.

The Ministry of Health website says close contacts will undergo active symptom monitoring and temperature checking for 21 days since the last close contact with the case.

Close contacts will not be required to strictly quarantine however are advised to avoid: high risk settings such as health and aged/child-care settings, and activities deemed high-risk such as sexual activities.