More than 20 mpox cases last month in NI

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has confirmed that 21 cases of mpox have been detected in Northern Ireland in the last three weeks.

Before this, only nine cases had been reported in Northern Ireland since 2023, meaning the number in recent weeks is a significant increase.

The current cases are more prevalent among men who have sex with men.

The PHA has encouraged those who are eligible for vaccination to contact their local sexual health clinic.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Dr Rachel Coyle, consultant in health protection at the PHA, said: "Over the last three weeks we've had 21 cases of mpox diagnosed in Northern Ireland.

"To put that into context, through the rest of 2026 up 'til now we haven't had any cases of mpox diagnosed, so it does represent a quite a quick increase in the number of cases being diagnosed here."

With numbers of mpox cases rising across Europe and the UK it is not unexpected that cases would eventually be detected in Northern Ireland.

Mpox, which was previously known as monkeypox, was first detected in Northern Ireland during the global outbreak in 2022.

Coyle said there had been a change in the type of mpox since then.

"We talk about two different strains of mpox. In 2022 it was the clade II strain that was mostly circulating, now we're talking about clade Ib, so it's a slightly different strain."

During the initial outbreak in 2022 there were 34 mpox cases in Northern Ireland.

Between 2023 and 2026, prior to June 2026, only nine cases were detected, all the clade II strain.

The 21 cases detected in June 2026 were all clade Ib, the first cases of this strain in Northern Ireland.

Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe.

Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, aching muscles.

Once the fever breaks a blistering rash can develop, often beginning on the face or genitals and then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash goes through several stages which include flat spots, raised spots, blisters and then scabbing.

Anyone with the virus should abstain from sex while they have symptoms, to help prevent passing it on to others.

Source: Public Health Agency

The Public Health Agency has encouraged those most at risk to get vaccinated but added that if you completed the course back in 2022 you do not need to get it again.

"While anyone can catch mpox, the majority of mpox cases in the UK are in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)," said Coyle.

"Therefore, those eligible for the vaccine include gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men who have multiple sexual partners, and those who participate in group sex or attend sex on premises venues.

"Vaccination is available for those eligible in Northern Ireland through sexual health clinics.

"This is particularly relevant as we head into the summer months and many more people will be travelling."