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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.
Today, Yuka* are launching a major European petition to demand the ban of Aspartame [E number E 951] in our food, alongside the French League Against Cancer* and the NGO Foodwatch*.
* Yuka is a 100% independent mobile Phone App that analyses the impact of food and cosmetic products on health. By scanning the barcode of a product, the application allows you to access the details of the product’s composition and in return indicates a color-coded rating ranging from green to red. The app now has 65 million users in 12 different countries. The aim is to help consumers make more conscious choices, but also to encourage manufacturers to improve the composition of their products.
Please now sign the petition and together, we can make a difference!
Why take action?
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used to replace sugar in many low-calorie or sugar-free products. It has been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
It has also been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Several studies show that it has no positive effect on weight and may even contribute to long-term weight gain.
Given these unacceptable risks, it’s time to take action.
To Sign the Petition Please Click HERE .
Yuka is calling on you to ban the additive aspartame/E 951 in food and beverages within the EU.
* Foodwatch is an independent non-profit consumer organisation that fights for safe, healthy and affordable food for all people. We give consumers a loud voice, speak up for transparency in the food sector and defend our right to food that harms neither people nor the environment. By conducting research, exposing scandals, mobilising consumers and lobbying governments, foodwatch provides an important counterweight to the power of the food industry.
* La Ligue contre le Cancer (The French Cancer League) is the biggest French independent non-profit association fighting against cancer. It comprises of 103 chapters present all over the French national and overseas territories. It provides advice, support and information to cancer patients and their relatives. It promotes policies for better cancer prevention, early detection and care as well as independent cancer research.
FSAI Recall of a batch of Alpenfest Style Salted Mini Pretzels Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate as it may cause a burning sensation in the mouth.
Alert Summary dated Thursday, 06 February 2025.
Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.06
Product Identification: Alpenfest Style Salted Mini Pretzels Milk Chocolate & Alpenfest Style Salted Mini Pretzels Dark Chocolate; pack size: 140g
Batch Code: 8509; best before date: 28/02/2025
Country Of Origin: Hungary
Message: Lidl is recalling the above batch of its Alpenfest Style Salted Mini Pretzels Milk Chocolate & Alpenfest Style Salted Mini Pretzels Dark Chocolate, as it may cause a burning sensation in the mouth when consumed.
Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.
Action Required Consumers:
Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.
Last year (2024) was a key year for the EPA, in the provision of timely and targeted information on the environment.
In 2024, the EPA completed more inspections, monitoring, and sampling than ever before, including:
- Over 2,500 waterbodies monitored
- Over 1,300 inspections of industrial and waste facilities
- Over 210 urban wastewater treatment plant inspections
- 200+ Drinking water plant inspections
- Continuous air quality monitoring at 115 stations
- The EPA’s 2004 State of the Environment report highlights that across the five key indicators (air, water, climate, nature and waste), Ireland’s scores range from Moderate to Very Poor, and requires immediate, transformative action.
30th January 2025: In its Annual Highlights, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showcases its work in addressing environmental challenges across Ireland.
Publishing the review, EPA Director General, Laura Burke said: “A key priority for the EPA continues to be the provision of timely and targeted information on the environment. In 2024, the EPA published our landmark four-year assessment of the State of Ireland’s Environment. The report highlights the progress that Ireland has made, however, it identifies that future prosperity and health are threatened unless we better protect our environment. Delivering on the five key environmental priorities identified in the State of the Environment Report would support providing a healthy, clean and resilient environment for ourselves and future generations.”
During 2024, the EPA also published over 50 major reports on water, air, circular economy, environmental compliance and more. Highlights include:
- Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 6.8% in 2023 – their lowest level in over three decades.
- 16 towns and villages continued to discharge raw sewage daily in 2024 – a reduction from 19 in 2023 but still unacceptably high.
- A 2024 report showed that Ireland continues to rely on exporting municipal waste with 1.24 million tonnes (39%) of all municipal waste being exported in 2022.
- 79% of bathing waters in Ireland had excellent water quality in 2023.
- EPA awarded funding of €18.5 million for environmental and climate research, a significant increase over previous years.
- Latest figures show that less than a third of packaging waste is being recycled (2022 figures).
- EPA’s Climate Change in The Irish Mind study showed that 53% of the Irish population correctly understands that climate change is caused mostly by human activities.
Concluding, Ms Burke added, “In 2025, the EPA will continue to use our expertise, extensive monitoring systems, evidence and research to protect, improve, and restore Ireland’s environment.”
Note: Further information is available in the EPA’s Highlights 2024.
Yesterday the Health Service Executive’s National Environmental Health Service alerted the public to excessive nicotine concentrations found in 4 products, for which European product safety (RAPEX) alerts have been issued.
The products involved are:
- Savage Vape. Sub-brands (flavours): Kiwi Passion Fruit Guava 5% Nicotine.
- The Crystal PRO MAX 4000+ puff. Sub-brands (flavours): Watermelon Ice Batch No. MAX20230407.
- ADADA A8 1200 puff. Sub-brands (flavours): Vanilla Coke.
- McKesse MK Bar 7000 12ml. Sub-brand (flavour): Lime Mojito 12ml. Batch Number: Exp: 31/12/2023.
Test results for the four products show that the legal nicotine concentration was exceeded, with sample results ranging between 26.9mg/ml and 30 mg/ml.
The legal nicotine concentration for electronic cigarettes is 20mg/ml.
As a precautionary measure, the HSE are advising consumers to check the electronic cigarettes they may hold, against the products involved in these alerts. If they have any of these products, they should stop using them and return them to the shop where they were purchased. If they have used these products and experienced any ill effects, they should contact their General Practitioner for advice and notify the HSE at info.tpd@hse.ie.
In response, the HSE has contacted distributors and importers of e-cigarettes and refill containers known to them and to make them aware of this issue and will be following up as required.
The message to retailers is:
If you have any of the products as set out above, you must remove them from sale and contactthe HSE at info.tpd@hse.ie providing product and full traceability details.
If you have sold or distributed any of the products above, a recall notice must be displayed in a prominent position in your retail premises and on your website and social media.
Retailers, with any queries in relation to this matter, may contact the HSE at info.tpd@hse.ie.
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