India has reported its first case of the Mpox virus, identified in a 26-year-old man from Haryana. The patient, who recently returned from abroad, was diagnosed with the West African strain of the virus, known as Clade 2, after laboratory testing. He has been isolated and is receiving treatment at Delhi’s LNJP Hospital.
While the news has raised alarm over the spread of the virus, the Ministry of Health has assured the public that this particular strain, Clade 2, is not included in the current public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Clade 1B Emergence in Africa
Last month, the WHO issued its highest level of international alert after detecting a new strain of the virus, Clade 1B, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This strain, responsible for the 2022 outbreak, continues to spread in several African nations, including Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda.
According to experts, Clade 1B often begins with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headaches, and muscle aches, and progresses to cause painful, pus-filled lesions. However, authorities have confirmed that the Mpox case in India is not linked to Clade 1B, and no other cases of this more contagious strain have been reported in the country.
Can Isolated Mpox Cases Pose a Public Risk?
Experts suggest that Mpox is less likely to become a widespread crisis in India. Although the country has reported around 30 cases and one death since the first detection of the virus in 2022, the current outbreak appears to be under control. This latest case in Haryana is the first suspected Mpox infection reported this year.
How Does Mpox Spread?
Mpox is primarily spread through close contact with an infected person or animal, as outlined by the WHO. The virus can be transmitted in several ways:
- Direct Skin Contact: Touching the rash, sores, or scabs of someone with Mpox can lead to transmission.
- Sharing Objects: Items such as clothing, bedding, towels, and eating utensils used by an infected person can carry the virus.
- Respiratory Droplets: Coughing or sneezing by an infected person can release respiratory droplets that spread the disease.
- Animal Contact: Physical contact with certain animals, like monkeys or tree squirrels, can also cause infection.
Once the scabs from Mpox lesions fall off and new skin forms, typically after four to five weeks, the person is no longer contagious.
With the health ministry closely monitoring the situation, doctors advise that following hygiene and distancing measures can minimize the risk of transmission.