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Barrett PM, Bruton O, Hanrahan M, White PF, Brennan A, Ertz K, Chu RW, Keogh S, Dean J, O'Mahony MT, O'Sullivan MB, Sheahan A, Murray D. A large outbreak of the Kappa mutation of COVID-19 in Cork, Ireland, April-May 2021. Ir J Med Sci 2023; 192:1573-1579. [PMID: 36369600 PMCID: PMC9651878 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-022-03212-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In May 2021, the B.1.617 variant of SARS-CoV-2 emerged in Ireland, and both Delta and Kappa sub-lineages were initially deemed variants of concern (VOCs) on a precautionary basis. We describe a large outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.1 (Kappa mutation) linked to a private gathering among third level students in Cork, Ireland. METHODS Surveillance data were available from the Health Service Executive COVID Care Tracker. The epidemiological sequence of infection for each new case in this outbreak was tracked and whole genome sequencing was requested on all linked cases. Enhanced public health control measures were implemented by the Department of Public Health HSE-South to contain onward spread of VOCs, including retrospective contact tracing, lengthy isolation and quarantine periods for cases and close contacts. Extensive surveillance efforts were used to describe and control onward transmission. RESULTS There were 146 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases linked to the outbreak. All sequenced cases (53/146; 36%) confirmed Kappa mutation. The median age was 21 years (range 17-65). The majority (88%) had symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. There were 407 close contacts; the median was 3 per case (range 0-14). There were no known hospitalisations, ICU admissions or deaths. Vaccination data was unavailable, but the outbreak pre-dated routine availability of COVID-19 vaccines among younger adults in Ireland. CONCLUSION Enhanced public health control measures for new and emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 may be burdensome for cases and close contacts. The overall public health benefit of enhanced controls may only become apparent when evidence on disease transmissibility and severity becomes more complete.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Barrett
- Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland.
| | - O Bruton
- Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - M Hanrahan
- Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - P F White
- Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - A Brennan
- Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland
- National Cancer Registry Ireland, Kinsale Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - K Ertz
- Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - R W Chu
- School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - S Keogh
- Cork Complex Contact Tracing Centre, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - J Dean
- National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M T O'Mahony
- Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - M B O'Sullivan
- Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - A Sheahan
- Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland
| | - D Murray
- Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland
- National Cancer Registry Ireland, Kinsale Road, Cork, Ireland
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