2022–2023 mpox outbreak in the Republic of Ireland
| Disease | [[Mpox|Mpox]] |
|---|---|
| Virus strain | [[Monkeypox virus|Monkeypox virus]] |
| First case | May 2022 |
| Origin | [[|{{{origin}}}]] |
| Confirmed cases | 227 |
| Deaths | 0 |
| This disease outbreak related article is a stub. | |
The 2022–2023 mpox outbreak in the Republic of Ireland is part of the larger 2022–2023 mpox outbreak that has affected multiple countries worldwide. The outbreak in Ireland began in May 2022, with the first confirmed case reported in Dublin. The outbreak is caused by the Monkeypox virus, a zoonotic virus that is part of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which also includes the variola virus that causes smallpox.
Background[edit | edit source]
Mpox is a viral disease that was first discovered in 1958 in laboratory monkeys, hence the name. The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The disease is endemic in parts of Central and West Africa, but the 2022 outbreak marked a significant spread to non-endemic countries, including Ireland.
Epidemiology[edit | edit source]
The first case in Ireland was confirmed in May 2022. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been actively monitoring and responding to the outbreak. As of October 2023, there have been 227 confirmed cases in the Republic of Ireland. The majority of cases have been reported in men who have sex with men (MSM), which is consistent with the patterns observed in other countries during this outbreak.
Transmission[edit | edit source]
The Monkeypox virus is primarily transmitted to humans from animals, but human-to-human transmission can occur through close contact with an infected person, their bodily fluids, or contaminated materials such as bedding. The virus can also spread through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash that often begins on the face before spreading to other parts of the body. The rash progresses through several stages before forming scabs and eventually falling off.
Public Health Response[edit | edit source]
The HSE has implemented several measures to control the outbreak, including contact tracing, isolation of confirmed cases, and public awareness campaigns. Vaccination with the smallpox vaccine, which provides cross-protection against mpox, has been offered to high-risk groups.
Impact[edit | edit source]
The outbreak has raised awareness about mpox and the need for global surveillance of emerging infectious diseases. It has also highlighted the importance of vaccination and public health preparedness in preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases.
Also see[edit | edit source]
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