DUBLIN: A total of 97 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Ireland, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC). Last week there were 85 cases in the country.
The World Health Organization has confirmed 23,351 monkeypox cases worldwide. Eight deaths have also been linked to the virus, with brain swelling being the cause of death.
Of the 97 confirmed cases, all patients were male with an average age of 36, the HPSC said. The sexual orientation of the person is known in 75 cases, and all self-identify as gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (gbMSM).
Ten patients in the country have been admitted to hospital, four of whom were admitted for clinical care and two for isolation purposes only.
In each case, public health professionals are following up those who had close contact with the patient, the HPSC said.