Mpox Virus Clade-2 Confirmed in India: Health Ministry Issues Advisory

The Health Ministry has confirmed that the Mpox virus of the West African clade 2 has been identified in a patient, marking it as a travel-related case. The individual is a young male who recently returned from a country facing Mpox transmission. He is currently isolated in a care facility and remains stable without any severe illness. The Ministry clarified that this case is not linked to the current public health emergency, which involves a different clade of the Mpox virus.

Preventative measures, such as contact tracing and monitoring, have been initiated to control the spread. The Ministry assured that there is no immediate risk to the general public.

Most of the current Mpox cases are reported in young males, primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Other cases involve non-sexual person-to-person transmission. Common symptoms include rash, often followed by fever. A significant portion of cases involves individuals living with HIV.

Following this case, the Health Ministry has directed all states and union territories to ensure that healthcare workers, particularly those in skin and STD clinics, are trained to recognize Mpox symptoms and follow proper protocols. These protocols include isolating patients, managing symptoms, and preventing further transmission.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the Mpox outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This decision is in response to the increasing cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other East African countries. WHO considers the risk of Mpox spreading beyond Africa as moderate.

India’s health authorities are closely monitoring the situation, reinforcing health screening at entry points like airports and enhancing community awareness to encourage the timely reporting of cases. This approach aims to control the disease’s spread while avoiding public panic.