India reports first suspected mpox case from New Delhi

India's Health Ministry has announced the identification of a suspected mpox case in capital New Delhi.

“A young male patient, who recently travelled from a country currently experiencing mpox transmission, has been identified as a suspect case of mpox,” said the ministry.

The patient has been placed in isolation and is reported to be stable. According to the ministry, samples have been sent for testing.

Sources indicate that the patient is currently in the isolation ward at Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi.

“The development of this case is consistent with the earlier risk assessment conducted by the NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control) and there is no cause of any undue concern,” the Health Ministry said.

WHO declares Mpox a health emergency

Last month, the World Health Organization declared Mpox a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern’—the highest level of alert.

Following the WHO alert, experts evaluated the risk of mpox in India and indicated that while there could be a few imported cases, the likelihood of a large-scale outbreak with ongoing transmission remains low.

Since the detection of the infection in 2022, India has recorded around 30 cases and one death. However, this is the first suspected case associated with the current outbreak. The current outbreak raises concerns due to the spread of the clade Ib strain of mpox, which is mainly transmitted through sexual contact.

Mpox virus (MPXV) has two main clades: clade I and clade II. Clade I is more severe. Previously, sexual transmission of clade I infections had not been reported.

“The country is fully prepared to deal with such isolated travel-related cases and has robust measures in place to manage and mitigate any potential risk,” the Health Ministry said.

Since last month, health units at airports, seaports, and land borders have been on high alert for the infection. Additionally, laboratories and isolation facilities have been prepared.

Mpox is an illness caused by the mpox virus (MPXV). Typical symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, back pain, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and pox-like rashes that persist for two to three weeks.

While it usually resolves on its own, it can be fatal, particularly in children and individuals with weakened immune systems.