Health officials on Wednesday have announced nine new monkeypox (MPX) cases in New Zealand, with all of the patients being infected through community transmission.
A joint statement from Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health said seven of the cases were detected in Auckland and two in Wellington.
The increase in cases was expected, the statement said.
"This brings the total to 20 confirmed cases in the current MPX outbreak (including both active and recovered).
"An increase in cases over the last week was not unexpected and the growth in MPX case numbers in New Zealand reflects overseas trends."
The risk of contracting MPX in New Zealand remained low, the statement added.
New Zealand's latest MPX case count comes after the country's first infections through community transmission were reported last week.
About 90 countries where MPX is not endemic have reported outbreaks of the viral disease, which the World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency. There have been more than 70,000 confirmed cases and some non-endemic countries have reported their first related deaths.
MPX, which is transmitted through close contact with infected people, animals or contaminated materials, usually causes symptoms similar to but milder than those of smallpox, such as fever, headache and rashes.
"Since reports of MPX emerged internationally, New Zealand health officials have provided advice to public health units, primary health organisations and sexual health clinics to assist with identification of cases and case and contact management," the joint statement said.
"We are also working closely with our community partners to ensure at-risk communities have the information and resources they need to mitigate the risk of contracting MPX.
"People with concerns about their health including possible exposure to MPX should contact their GP, nearest sexual health clinic or Healthline on 0800 611 116."
