• P M Barrett, O Bruton, M Hanrahan, P F White, A Brennan, K Ertz, R W Chu, S Keogh, J Dean, M T O'Mahony, M B O'Sullivan, A Sheahan, D Murray, and Outbreak Control Team.
• Department of Public Health HSE-South, St. Finbarr's Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork, Ireland. peter.barrett1@hse.ie.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2023 Aug 1; 192 (4): 157315791573-1579.

BackgroundIn 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.MethodsSurveillance 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.ResultsThere 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.ConclusionEnhanced 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.© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.

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