Mpox case confirmed in India: Do we need to panic?

Amid widespread concern regarding the global resurgence of Mpox, previously known as Monkeypox, India has confirmed its first case of the virus. The Indian government has acknowledged the presence of Mpox virus of West African clade 2, confirmed in isolated patient. However, the clade 2 variant is not the same as the clade 1 mpox variant, the more virulent strain for which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency in August 2024.

The Indian government, through a press release, has confirmed that the patient is stable and poses no immediate risk to public. The statement reads, “The previously suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) has been verified as a travel-related infection. Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of Mpox virus of the West African clade 2 in the patient. This case is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of mpox.”

The concerned patient is a young male who recently traveled from a country experiencing ongoing Mpox transmission. He is currently isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility, and remains clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities.

According to the government, the case is being managed as per established protocols, while public health measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, are being ensured to contain the situation.

Should India worry about Mpox spread?

The susceptibility of Mpox spread in India is relatively low, with only 31 reported cases in the country since July 2022, says Infectious Disease Specialist Dr Charu Dutt Arora.

“The Health Ministry has stated that the recent case reported on September 9, 2024, is an isolated incident and not part of the ongoing global public health emergency involving Clade 1 of the virus. The patient is currently isolated at a designated healthcare facility. There is no need to panic as the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low. The health ministry is doing serotesting of all possible cases with a travel history to contain any widespread risk to the community,” Dr Arora tells Health Shots.

What is mpox?

Mpox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. According to WHO, skin rashes that may last 2–4 weeks, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes, are some of the common symptoms of mpox.

This spreads through close contact with an infected individual. It may also be contracted from an infected animal, says Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr Shivam Sharma.

The treatment for mpox involves supportive care to alleviate the pain and fever, through special attention to nutrition, hydration, skin care, prevention of secondary infections and treatment of co-infections.

Click here to know more about mpox and its impact.

How to prevent mpox?

The news around the global spread of mpox comes at a time when the various infections and vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya, are causing worry, raising concern among people.

Getting an mpox vaccine to help prevent infection is especially recommended for vulnerable groups of people during an outbreak. These include health and care workers at risk of exposure, people in the same household or close community as someone who has mpox, including children; people who have multiple sex partners, including men who have sex with men; and sex workers of any gender and their clients.

Some preventive measures include:
⦁ Avoid any close contact with an infected patient
⦁ Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
⦁ Avoid any contact with wild animals or their meat
⦁ Practice safe sex
⦁ Thoroughly cook all the food items containing animal meat
⦁ Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth
⦁ Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when caring for an infected individual