Monkeypox: First case confirmed in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has had its first case of monkeypox, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has confirmed.

It said to protect patient confidentiality, no further details about them will be disclosed.

The PHA said the case was not unexpected following the presence of monkeypox cases elsewhere in the UK.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said he was "fairly confident" there will be more cases in Northern Ireland.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, there are now 90 recorded cases in the UK as of Thursday afternoon.

Eight additional cases have been detected in England, bringing the total there to 85.

There are three confirmed cases in Scotland, one in Wales and one in Northern Ireland,

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe and experts say chances of infection are low.

Speaking at a briefing on Thursday afternoon, Dr Michael McBride said: "What we want to do is to prevent this becoming established as an endemic infection in the United Kingdom because it isn't at this time.

"We have a very good chance of doing that by taking all the steps we are currently doing."

Dr McBride added that it "certainly will not impact on daily life" as it was not as transmissible between people.

He added there was a "very good chance to be able to interrupt and contain this" but said they were "having to play catch-up".

The chief medical officer said the type of monkeypox circulating in the UK was the West African variant which has a low mortality.

Chief Scientific Officer Prof Ian Young said there was no evidence of any significant change in the virus or that it was a new variant of monkeypox.

He said it is believed there may have been one or two super-spreader incidents of the virus, most likely in southern Europe which then continued out from there.

Dr Gillian Armstrong, head of health protection at the PHA, said: "The PHA has been working closely with trusts and GPs to raise awareness of the disease, and set up testing arrangements and clinical pathways.

"Cases of monkeypox are rare as the virus does not spread easily between people; therefore the risk to the Northern Ireland population is considered low.

"Appropriate public health actions are being taken and the PHA is working with the UK Health Security Agency to investigate any potential links with UK cases and we will contact any potential close contacts to provide health information and advice."

On contact tracing, Dr Armstrong said that skin to skin contact was the highest risk of spread, but household contacts would also be assessed as well people who may be caring for people with the virus such as health care workers.

She said as the virus could also be potentially be spread by bed linen towels the likes of hospital cleaners could also be potentially be considered.

Earlier, the PHA said "a notable proportion of recent cases in England and Europe have been found in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, so the PHA is particularly encouraging them to be alert to the symptoms and seek help if concerned.

"We can assure them their call will be treated sensitively and confidentially.

"The PHA has been working with community and voluntary groups including Rainbow to raise awareness of monkeypox symptoms and action to take if you think you have been at risk of exposure.

"Clinicians should be alert to individuals presenting with rashes without a clear alternative diagnosis and should contact specialist services for advice."

BBC News NI health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly said: "It was always a case of when, not if Northern Ireland would get it's first case. To health officials it comes as no surprise".

"We understand this person sought medical help and is now isolating - the guidance for that is 21 days".

"People are asked not to visit a hospital or health clinic, but to ring in advance if they have any concerns".

Causes of monkeypox are also being investigated in other countries including the US, Canada and Australia.

Monkeypox incident management teams have been set up in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to prepare for possible cases of the disease.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland said it wanted to "ensure that we are fully prepared for any potential risk to the population".

It has described monkeypox as "a mild self-limiting illness" and said that most people recover within a few weeks.

The PHA advises anyone who thinks they have been exposed to monkeypox, or who has "unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia" to phone their local healthcare provider or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.

Earlier this week, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said people should isolate for 21 days if they have been in direct or household contact with a confirmed case.

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body, particularly the hands and feet.

The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.

Symptoms usually take between five and 21 days to appear after infection.