The Ministry of Health has confirmed the presence of Mpox virus, specifically West African clade 2, in a recent patient. The case, verified on September 9, 2024, is travel-related and is not part of the ongoing global public health emergency associated with clade 1 of the virus. This case is an isolated incident, similar to the previous 30 cases reported in India since July 2022. The patient, a young male, who recently traveled to a country with Mpox transmission, is currently in isolation at a designated health facility and his condition remains stable.
Ministry of Health guidelines
Apurva Chandra, Secretary Health, said public health measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, are being actively undertaken to contain the situation. The ministry has written to all states and union territories, emphasising the need to train healthcare workers, especially those in dermatology, STD and NACO clinics, to identify symptoms, follow case management protocol and report cases promptly.
Trends in transmission and symptoms
According to the World Health Organization, the main mode of transmission of Mpox in the current epidemic is sexual contact, followed by nonsexual person-to-person contact. Typical symptoms include rashes and fever. The median age of those affected is 34 years, and more than half of cases occur in people living with HIV.
Precautions and public awareness
Chandra also stressed the need for better community awareness and timely reporting of suspected cases, as well as notification to state AIDS control societies. While the current epidemic is classified as a public health emergency (PHEIC), the risk of it spreading outside Africa remains moderate. Airport screening and hospital surveillance have been strengthened to detect suspected cases.
