India on Monday confirmed its first case of “travel-related” Mpox, also known as monkeypox, in a young male who tested positive for a strain of the virus originating from western Africa. Health authorities have reported that the patient is in stable condition and has been isolated since the weekend after being suspected of carrying the virus.
While the detection of Mpox raises concerns, officials have clarified that the identified strain—’clade 2’—is not part of the current global public health emergency, which was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) last month regarding ‘clade 1’ of the Mpox virus.
The Ministry of Health stated that testing confirmed the presence of the ‘clade 2’ virus, which is similar to 30 cases previously reported in India since July 2022. “This strain is distinct from the one currently causing concern globally but still requires vigilance,” a health official said.
Government Advisory and Public Health Measures
The Indian government has issued directives for enhanced surveillance and testing, especially for those with recent travel history from high-risk regions. In light of this case, the government has advised states to remain alert but emphasized the need to prevent undue panic.
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Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus, typically spreads through close contact with infected individuals. Symptoms include fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and respiratory issues, and the disease has seen outbreaks in various parts of the world over the past year.
With the first travel-related Mpox case detected, India has heightened its preparedness and is closely monitoring potential further cases. While the clade 2 strain is currently not under global public health emergency, the government continues to encourage screening and vigilance to ensure timely intervention and containment of the virus.
