Monkeypox cases rise

A robust strategy is needed to tackle the rise in cases of monkeypox in Ireland.

That’s according to Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer as he recently proposed a meeting of public health officials and relevant health groups.

He said: “In recent days, cases in Ireland have risen to almost 100. As cases slowly climb, it is crucial that we are preventative in our actions.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly recently approved recommendations by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) to provide pre-exposure prophylactic vaccination to those at high risk of infection.

Senator Buttimer said: “I welcome the minister’s review of the NIAC advice in relation to vaccination and I also welcome the HSE’s engagement to date with the various relevant groups in order to protect those most vulnerable to the virus.

“I have written to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister of State Frank Feighan, proposing that we take this engagement further by convening a meeting of the HSE, NIAC, public health officials, sexual health workers and all relevant health groups, to put in place a robust strategy.

“We must also now consider how we can increase our medium to long-term supply of vaccines. We understand that there is a shortage of vaccine supplies in Europe but ideally we need a timeframe for the vaccination rollout here," he concluded.

The World Health Organisation has declared monkeypox a global health emergency.