Cases of mpox in Ireland remain low
On 14th August 2024, WHO’s Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern. There has been an unprecedented recent increase in the number of mpox cases identified in Africa.
Cases of mpox in Ireland remain low, with six cases reported so far in 2024. There were 13 cases of mpox confirmed in Ireland in 2023 and 227 cases in 2022. The cases seen in 2024 in Ireland have been caused by clade II mpox, the type that caused the global outbreak, mainly affecting gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and which began in 2022.
The type of mpox that is causing concern in Africa is caused by a different clade, clade I (divided into two subgroups, clade Ia and clade Ib). No cases of clade Ia or Ib mpox have been detected in Ireland.
A risk assessment was published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on 16th August. One case of clade Ib mpox has been reported in Sweden and more imported mpox cases due to clade I mpox will likely occur in the EU/EEA. The overall risk for the EU/EEA general population is currently assessed as low, though the risk for people who have close contact with a confirmed or suspected case from affected areas in Africa is moderate.
Ireland continues to work with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and international partners and is preparing the healthcare system so that we can rapidly identify any potential imported cases and prevent secondary transmission.
About mpox
Mpox is an uncommon disease that is caused by infection with mpox virus. The virus is found in some animal populations in remote parts of Central and West Africa, and in the past has caused occasional limited outbreaks in local communities and travellers. Since December 2022 a large outbreak of mpox has been ongoing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in recent weeks, cases have been seen in neighbouring countries, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya and Uganda.
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 & care workers. The risk of spread within the community in general, is very low.
For symptoms and signs of mpox and advice on what to do if you think you have mpox, please see https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/mpox/
Vaccination
In response to the increase in mpox cases in 2022, HSE delivered a vaccine programme to vulnerable risk groups in response to that wave of infection. Over 11,000 doses of vaccine were delivered, with more than 5,000 people fully vaccinated, which was among the best performing mpox vaccine programmes in Europe. Given the effectiveness of that campaign in controlling infection, the programme had been paused pending a decision on a different approach to vaccination.
Given the emergence of a new clade of mpox in Africa, Clade 1b, and the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the WHO in response, HSE will consider the need for a new vaccine programme now. HSE will be advised by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). HSE will consider the need for any new vaccination programme and the particular groups potentially in scope for vaccination. Ireland has sufficient supplies of mpox vaccine through the EU HERA Joint Procurement Action to meet any likely needs over the next months.