The Republic of Ireland is adequately stocked with mpox vaccine to manage possible outbreaks of the illness, as stated by the investigation body for infectious diseases. Despite the low risk perceived by health professionals, the country remains prepared for any potential surge.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently classified an ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa as a global public health emergency, which is their highest warning level. The disease is usually contracted via close interaction, manifesting as a mild flu-like illness, occasionally leading to death. It results in fluid-filled sores on the body.
Incidences of mpox within Ireland have been relatively limited, with a total of six cases so far in 2024, 13 in 2023, and 227 in 2022. The 2024 incidents in Ireland were mainly due to clade II mpox, which was responsible for the global spread, primarily amongst gay and bisexual men, and men who have sex with men, starting from 2022. There have been no instances of the new clade of mpox, currently raising alarm in Africa, spotted in Ireland.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre relayed in a statement that the Health Service Executive is deliberating launching an updated vaccine campaign, following the WHO’s warning. It clarified that they are prepared for any forthcoming vaccination requirements, thanks to their abundant mpox vaccine reserves, procured through the EU HERA initiative.
Furthermore, Irish governmental bodies are reportedly far along in their preparations for a potential mpox surge, with strategies already in place to provide accurate health information to those most vulnerable to the disease.
The government asserts that there is a sufficient supply of vaccine doses prepared for the forthcoming months and reassures its ability to test for diverse variants at the National Virus Reference Laboratory. Although the situation is deemed a “low risk” by administration officials, communication efforts are undergoing slight modifications. The role of keeping the Government abreast of the situation remains the remit of the chief medical officer, as customary.
On the last weekday, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), issued its risk evaluation. It called for augmented readiness throughout the member states. While it posited that there is a high certainty of increased mpox cases being imported into the European Union, it also indicated that the overall risk remains low.
On the same day, the HSE held a crisis management team conference to deliberate on the World Health Organisation’s declaration and the ECDC’s risk appraisal. Relevant guidance is being adjusted in line with the most recent counsel.
Moreover, it has been revealed that the Department of Health has liaised with the Department of Foreign Affairs to revise travel suggestions for those planning to visit the region currently affected.
Dr Eoghan De Barra, an infectious diseases expert at Beaumont Hospital and renowned lecturer at RCSI, emphasised the contrast between the current outbreak and the one witnessed in 2022 when it proliferated across Europe.
He stated that the effects of this infection are much more severe for those infected, including greater disease severity and increased mortality risk.
Meanwhile, Dr Connor Bamford from Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Biological Sciences called for a concentrated effort on containing and eliminating mpox from the human populace. He mentioned that Ireland, similar to most other countries around the globe, is at risk due to the escalating international connectivity, whether directly or indirectly from countries in Africa where the disease is prevalent.