Ireland Confirms First Cluster of Severe Mpox Cases, Warns Public

Three individuals have been diagnosed with a severe strain of the Mpox virus, marking the first cluster of cases identified in Ireland. The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed that these cases are interconnected, prompting contact tracing and monitoring of individuals who may have been exposed.

The regional public health team is investigating how these individuals contracted the virus while ensuring that close contacts have been offered testing and vaccination. Mpox, also referred to as Monkeypox, is a viral infection that can spread easily through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing personal items.

Global Context and Risk Assessment

The Clade 1 strain of Mpox surged in the Democratic Republic of Congo last year, spreading rapidly to neighboring regions. This situation led the World Health Organization to declare a global health emergency, a status that was lifted only earlier this month. Since the start of 2023, there have been over 34,000 confirmed Mpox cases worldwide, resulting in 138 deaths, primarily concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, East Africa, and Sierra Leone.

A spokesperson for the HSE stated that four cases of Clade 1 have been detected in Ireland, which includes an imported case from February and the recent three linked cases in August and September. They emphasized that the current risk to the Irish public remains low, noting that similar small clusters have been observed in other European nations, often linked to travel from areas with ongoing community spread of the virus.

Preventative Measures and Symptoms

The HSE has provided guidance on how to minimize the risk of contracting Mpox. Recommendations include staying informed about travel advisories, practicing good hand hygiene, and having open discussions with sexual partners about health and symptoms. Individuals who exhibit Mpox symptoms are advised to refrain from intimate contact and seek medical advice.

Common symptoms of Mpox include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions that can last between two to four weeks. Other symptoms may encompass fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. Those experiencing symptoms are urged to self-isolate and contact their healthcare provider promptly.

While Clade 2 of the virus has been present in Ireland since 2022 at low levels, it is considered less contagious and milder compared to Clade 1. The HSE did not disclose details regarding the region, age, or sex of the individuals affected by the current cluster.

In light of these developments, anyone returning from a country where Mpox is spreading should monitor for symptoms for three weeks and seek medical attention if any concerns arise. The HSE reassures the public that both clades of the virus are similar in their effects on human health, and an effective vaccine is available for those at higher risk.