Monkeypox: First confirmed case of virus in Ireland, says Director of Health Services | World News
The first confirmed case of monkeypox has been identified in Ireland, health officials said.
The infection was reported in the eastern part of the country on Friday evening and the affected person was not kept in hospital.
A second is suspected monkey pox The case is also being investigated and test results are awaited, the Health Services Executive (HSE) said.
A public health risk assessment has been performed and those who have been in contact with the person will be advised on what to do if they become ill.
The HSE said the confirmed case in Ireland was “not unexpected” following infections in the UK and many European countries.
Another sixteen cases were identified in the UK on Friday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the new cases bring the total number of cases in the UK since May 7 to 101, bringing the total in the UK to 106.
There have been three confirmed cases in Scotland, as well as one in both Wales and Northern Ireland.
First cases of monkeypox in Wales and Northern Ireland were recorded on Thursdaywhile Scotland confirmed two more cases.
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Despite the increase in cases, UKHSA said the risk to the UK population “remains low” as the virus is not contagious.
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In particular, gay or bisexual men are being urged to pay attention to symptoms as health authorities say “the vast majority of cases identified to date” fall into this category.
Health protection teams have traced the contacts of people with a confirmed case and are advising those most at risk to self-isolate at home for up to 21 days.
