New Delhi: India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on Sunday that a young male traveler, recently arrived from a country currently experiencing Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) transmission, has been identified as a suspected case of the viral disease.
According to the Ministry, the patient has been placed in isolation at a designated hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. Health officials are conducting tests on the patient’s samples to confirm the presence of Mpox.
The Ministry stated that the case is being managed according to established health protocols, and contact tracing is underway to identify potential sources of infection and assess the impact within the country. The Ministry emphasized that this case aligns with the earlier risk assessments conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and reassured the public that there is no cause for undue concern.
“The country is fully prepared to handle such isolated travel-related cases and has robust measures in place to manage and mitigate any potential risk,” the statement read.
Understanding Mpox
Mpox is a viral disease that can spread between people primarily through close contact, and occasionally from contaminated objects or surfaces. Originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970, Mpox was initially overlooked until it led to a global outbreak in 2022, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a public health emergency.
The disease presents with symptoms such as a rash that may last two to four weeks, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. The rash can appear on various parts of the body, including the face, hands, feet, and genital areas. Infectivity persists until all blisters have crusted over and healed, typically within two to four weeks.
Transmission and Risks
Mpox can spread through direct contact with infectious respiratory particles, close physical interactions, and via contaminated objects. The virus can also be transmitted during pregnancy or through close contact between an infected person and an infant or child.
There is ongoing research into the specifics of transmission, including the potential for the virus to spread from asymptomatic individuals or those whose lesions have healed. Mpox can also be transmitted from animals to humans through bites, scratches, or consumption of inadequately cooked meat.
Fatality and Vulnerable Groups
While Mpox is fatal in a small percentage of cases (between 0.1% and 10%), most individuals recover with supportive care. Vulnerable populations, such as newborns, pregnant individuals, and those with immune deficiencies, face a higher risk of severe outcomes.
The WHO advises that decisive action is needed to prevent the recurrence of past outbreaks and urges continued vigilance and research to understand and manage Mpox effectively.
