The first case in the UK of the Clade Ib mpox was confirmed yesterday after the patient had travelled to countries in Africa that are seeing the spread of the infection.
The HSE’s National Health Protection said it is monitoring the situation in Ireland, UK and internationally and the “risk to the Irish public is very low”.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre in Ireland said that sporadic imported cases of mpox may occur among travellers from endemic areas or countries.
No cases of the strains of concern, clade Ia or Ib mpox have ever been detected in Ireland.
It said that on October 22 last the first case of mpox clade Ib was reported by Germany in a person who had travelled abroad.
“Since August, when the outbreak of mpox was declared as a public health emergency, with cases identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries, imported cases have been seen in Sweden, Thailand, India, Germany and the UK.
“The public are asked to follow public health advice, particularly if travelling to or from a country in Africa where mpox cases are occurring.”
It pointed out that on August 14 last WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern.
“There has been a recent upsurge in the number of mpox cases identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries.
“There are two different types of the mpox virus – called clade I and clade II. Each clade of the virus has subclades, clade Ia and clade Ib and clade IIb. Outbreaks from the subclades can have different characteristics, like who they affect, how they’re spread, or even how many deaths they cause.
“The type of mpox that is causing concern in Africa is caused by clade I mpox, both clade Ia and Ib. To date clade Ib has a lower case-fatality rate (fewer cases have led to death) than clade Ia mpox.
“This is different to clade IIb which caused the global outbreak in 2022-2023, mainly affecting gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.”
It added that “no cases of clade Ia or Ib mpox have ever been detected in Ireland. Cases of clade IIb mpox in Ireland remain low, with 14 cases reported so far in 2024. There were 13 cases of mpox confirmed in Ireland in 2023 and 227 cases in 2022.
“Mpox spreads through close contact, including contact with the skin rash of someone with mpox. People who closely interact with someone who is infectious are at greater risk for infection: this includes sexual partners, household members, and health and care workers.
“To protect yourself and others against mpox, know the signs and symptoms of mpox, how the virus spreads, what to do if you get sick, and the risk of mpox infection in the area that you are planning to travel to. Information on countries affected by mpox is available from the World Health Organisation (WHO). “
Mpox causes a painful, severe blister-like rash at the site of the infection. The symptoms of this strain may be more severe, with the rash often spreading to the entire body. Symptoms usually start five to 21 days after exposure. It may be followed by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands.
