Keeping Healthy and Safe During Winter Pride

Stay healthy and safe while having fun is the main message Public Health South is urging partygoers to remember who are set to descend on Queenstown for the 2022 Winter Pride Festival starting 26 August.

“While COVID-19 cases across Aotearoa including in Southern are dropping, COVID-19, flu and other winter respiratory viruses are still circulating - so please stay home if you’re unwell,” says Dr Susan Jack, Medical Officer of Health for Te Whatu Ora Southern. “Wearing masks in indoor spaces is another great way to protect yourself and others”

Dr Jack and Te Whatu Ora Southern also highlighted the need for people to be aware of Monkeypox (MPX) infections.

MPX can affect anyone, but the current global outbreak is disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men and people who have sex with men who have sex with men. This may include people of any gender or sexual identity, whether they are transgender, cisgender, and non-binary people. There is higher risk for these communities particularly if there are multiple or anonymous sexual partners. Anyone who will have close physical or sexual contact while overseas, or with people who have recently been overseas, is advised to be mindful of MPX symptoms. This is particularly important for men who have sex with men and people who have sex with men who have sex with men, and anyone who has multiple or anonymous sexual partners.

MPX symptoms can include a rash, spots, or blisters. Some people also develop cold and flu-like symptoms including a fever, muscle aches, fatigue or swollen glands. Symptoms can appear anywhere from 5 to 21 days after exposure.

“If you develop any of these symptoms during your trip to Queenstown, please self-isolate at your accommodation and seek health advice immediately by calling Queenstown Medical Centre or Healthline. Many illnesses can have similar symptoms, so it is important to reach out for advice,” says Dr Jack.

“People should also be aware that MPX is not easily spread from person to person during social interactions. The way the virus can be passed on includes close physical, intimate or sexual contact with someone who has MPX via skin-to-skin contact, direct contact with the skin rashes, lesions, scabs or bodily fluids of someone with MPX, or by touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with a MPX rash.”

For more information about keeping healthy and safe during Winter Pride please visit The Burnett Foundation webpage dedicated to this event - In Queenstown for some sexy Winter Pride festivites? (burnettfoundation.org.nz)

People can also access sexual health services and advice while visiting Queenstown through Queenstown Medical Centre including access to condoms, lube, PEP and PrEP by calling 03 441 0500.

Healthline is available for after-hours support 24 hours, 7 days a week by calling 0800 611 116.