Health

Mpox: how big is the risk to Ireland now that the type of most concern has been recorded here?

Q&A: Irish health officials have been preparing for a potential rise of cases in the State since August

A colourised transmission electron micrograph of mpox particles. Photograph: AP
A colourised transmission electron micrograph of mpox particles. Photograph: AP
Shauna Bowers's picture
Shauna Bowers
Fri Feb 07 2025 - 12:09

On Thursday, the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed the first case of Clade I mpox has been confirmed in a person in the Republic.

The case was detected in someone who recently travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the virus is widespread. The individual is receiving specialist care in a hospital in the east of the country.

Is this a big deal?

Well, in August, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared mpox a “public health emergency of international concern”. This was due an upsurge in the number of mpox cases identified in the DRC and neighbouring countries.

The type of mpox that is causing concern in Africa is caused by Clade I mpox, both Clade Ia and Ib.

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This is different from Clade IIb which caused the global outbreak in 2022-2023, mainly affecting gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

So was it expected that Ireland would get cases?

Due to the nature of international travel, it is not unsurprising that a case of the more concerning clade has been found in Ireland.

Small numbers of cases have been seen in Europe and countries outside Africa in people who have travelled from countries where mpox is spreading in the community.

Irish health officials have, since the WHO declaration in August, been preparing for a potential rise of cases in the State.

Is there a cause for concern in Ireland?

According to the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the infectious diseases watchdog, the risk to Ireland remains “low”.

Dr Éamonn O’Moore, director of national health protection at the HSE said close contacts were being contacted by the local public health team.

“They have been given appropriate advice to reduce the risk of any potential spread and will be followed up with until there is no longer any risk of developing infection,” Dr O’Moore said.

So far, one case of Clade I has been detected in Ireland.

Cases of Clade IIb in Ireland remain low, with eight reported to date in 2025. There were 25 cases of mpox confirmed in Ireland in 2024, 13 cases in 2023 and 227 cases in 2022.

What are the symptoms of mpox and how does it spread?

Common symptoms include skin rash or pus-filled lesions, which can last two to four weeks. It can also cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

Anyone with symptoms should self-isolate and phone their doctor promptly. While most cases are mild, early detection and care can help prevent further spread.

According to the HPSC, mpox can be passed on through close person-to-person contact and through contact with contaminated materials. It may also spread from animals to people in areas where infected animals are found.

Mpox needs close or intimate contact to spread, so casual (passing) contact like you might have during travel is not likely to cause infection.

Are there vaccines?

Yes, the HSE rolled out a vaccine programme during the last outbreak of the virus.

People who have received two doses of the mpox vaccine or who have previously had mpox infection are considered to have protection against severe illness caused by Clade I mpox.

The HSE said at this time that booster vaccination was not recommended.

However, close contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed.