INDIA: India has reported its first suspected case of mpox in the capital city, New Delhi. The Health Ministry confirmed that a young male patient, recently returned from a country experiencing mpox transmission, is currently in isolation and in stable condition.
According to the ministry’s statement, the patient has been placed under medical observation at Safdarjung Hospital, with samples sent for testing to determine the strain of the virus.
“The development of this case aligns with the earlier risk assessment conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and there is no cause for undue concern,” the Health Ministry reassured the public.
WHO Declares Mpox a Health Emergency
Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern,” its highest alert level. The global alert prompted experts in India to evaluate the potential risk of mpox in the country. While imported cases are expected, experts have noted that the likelihood of a large-scale outbreak with ongoing transmission remains low.
Since the virus was first detected in 2022, India has recorded around 30 cases and one death. This case marks the first suspected infection linked to the current global outbreak, which is primarily associated with the spread of the clade Ib strain, transmitted through close contact, including sexual transmission.
Mpox, caused by the mpox virus (MPXV), has two main clades: clade I, known for more severe symptoms, and clade II. Sexual transmission of clade I infections had not been previously reported.
“The country is fully prepared to manage isolated travel-related cases, with robust measures in place to mitigate any potential risks,” said the ministry. Health units at airports, seaports, and land borders have been on high alert for mpox since the WHO’s declaration. Isolation facilities and diagnostic laboratories across the country are ready to respond as necessary.
Mpox symptoms typically include fever, headaches, muscle pain, back pain, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and rashes that resemble pox, lasting two to three weeks. Though most cases resolve without complications, the virus can be fatal, particularly in children and individuals with compromised immune systems.
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