India has detected its first suspected mpox case of 2024, involving a young male patient who recently traveled from a country experiencing an outbreak.
Isolation and Testing
02.
The patient has been isolated, and his sample has been sent for testing to confirm the presence of the mpox virus.
Previous Cases
03.
Since 2022, India has reported 30 cases and one death due to mpox, with the last case recorded in March 2024.
WHO Alert
04.
The World Health Organization declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern last month, prompting heightened vigilance.
Transmission Clades
05.
Mpox has two clades, I and II, with clade I being more severe. The current outbreak involves clade Ib, which is predominantly transmitted through sexual contact.
Symptoms
06.
Common symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, swollen lymph nodes, and pox-like rashes that last for two to three weeks.
Preparedness Measures
07.
India has implemented robust measures, including alerting health units at airports, seaports, and land crossings, and preparing laboratories and isolation facilities.
Risk Assessment
08.
Experts have assessed the risk of a large outbreak in India as low, despite the possibility of a few imported cases.
Global Context
09.
The mpox virus, previously known as monkeypox, was first discovered in monkeys in 1958 and in humans in 1970. It is transmitted through close physical contact.
Public Health Response
10.
The health ministry is conducting contact tracing and managing the case according to established protocols to mitigate any potential risk.