The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed the first ever case of Clade I mpox, a more lethal variant of the viral disease formerly known as monkeypox, in Ireland. The patient, an Irish resident, is currently under specialist care in a hospital in the east of the country following recent travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Public health officials are now tracing close contacts and investigating the source of infection, though the HSE maintains that the risk to the general public remains low. A previous outbreak of Clade II mpox occurred in Ireland in 2022, with 229 confirmed cases within a year of it being declared a notifiable disease on May 27.
However, Clade I carries a higher risk of severe illness and death. While Clade II mpox was downgraded from a High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) in the UK in January 2023, Clade I remains classified as a HCID.
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The detection of Clade I mpox in Ireland was "not unexpected", according to the HSE, given the small number of cases recorded in Europe and other countries outside Africa. Dr Éamonn O'Moore, director of national health protection with the HSE, sought to reassure the public, stating: "I would like to reassure the public that the risk to the Irish population remains low,".
"Close contacts are being contacted by the local public health team. They have been given appropriate advice to reduce the risk of any potential spread and will be followed up with until there is no longer any risk of developing infection.", reports the Irish Mirror.
"As part of our public health work we are also investigating how the individual acquired the infection," he added.
"The HSE is fully prepared to respond to this case as work has been ongoing since August 2024. We have been working alongside international partners and National Health Protection has been monitoring mpox closely since the outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo first emerged."
People who recently returned from a country where mpox is circulating in the community are advised to look out for symptoms for three weeks, and seek medical advice if they have any concerns.
Common symptoms include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions, which can last for between two and four weeks. It can also cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. Anyone who develops these symptoms should self-isolate and contact their doctor, according to the HSE.
"People who have received two doses of the mpox vaccine or who have previously had mpox infection are considered to have protection against severe illness caused by Clade I mpox. At this time, booster vaccination is not recommended," explained Dr Derval Igoe, consultant in public health medicine.
"Close contacts of the case are being contacted directly by HSE public health teams. Any close contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed and advised on any additional care if they have symptoms or test positive."
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