The Health Service Executive (HSE) have confirmed that the first case of a newer, more spreadable variant of Monkeypox (mpox) has been detected here in the Republic of Ireland.
An Irish resident, infected with the Clade 1 variant, had recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The infected individual is now receiving specialist treatment in a Dublin hospital.
This virus, which was formerly known as monkeypox, was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) just last August.
The HSE have declared that while it is the first Irish case of this newer variant, it is not unexpected and the risk to the public currently remains low. The HSE have also stated that those who have received two doses of the mpox vaccine, or previously had the virus, are considered to have protection against severe illness caused by this newer identified variant.
Director of National Health Protection, Dr Éamonn O’Moore, has stated that the HSE is fully prepared to respond to this case and has been working alongside other international partners. National Health Protection has been monitoring mpox closely, since the outbreak first emerged in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mpox is caused by a virus , a relative of Smallpox, but is usually less harmful. It is spread through direct contact with rashes, skin lesions or scabs caused by the virus, including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling and other skin-to-skin contact. There is also a risk from contact with bodily fluids; from contact with bedding or towels or clothing; and through close and prolonged face-to-face contact, such as talking, breathing, coughing and sneezing.
The common symptoms of mpox include flu-like symptoms, followed by a skin rash and pus-filled lesions which can last up to 30 days. When the fever breaks, a rash can develop which can be extremely itchy or painful, often beginning on the face before spreading to other parts of the body, most commonly the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
In serious cases, lesions can attack the whole of the body, especially the mouth, eyes and genitals. The rash goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off and can cause scarring.
However mpox can be fatal, particularly for vulnerable groups – including small children.
Countries including Sweden, Germany, India, Thailand, Canada and the US have all experienced imported cases of Clade 1b, but there has been little onward spread to date.
On Tuesday last, 12 new mpox vaccination sites have opened across England.
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