India has officially confirmed its first case of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) virus. The Ministry of Health announced that laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the mpox virus in a 26-year-old man from Haryana’s Hisar. The patient, who recently returned to India from abroad, showed symptoms of mpox and was admitted to the Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital on Saturday. He is currently isolated and receiving treatment.
To manage potential cases, three Delhi government hospitals – LNJP Hospital, GTB and Baba Saheb Ambedkar – have established isolation rooms for suspected and confirmed mpox cases. While the news of a confirmed case may raise concerns, authorities have clarified that the strain detected in the patient, West African Clade 2, is not the same strain that prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare a public health emergency in 2022.
The 2022 outbreak was caused by a different strain, Clade 2, which is still circulating in several countries. However, in August 2023, the WHO declared its highest international alert level after the emergence of a new strain, dubbed Clade 1b, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This new strain was first identified among sex workers in eastern DR Congo in September 2023 and has since spread to neighboring countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, as well as to parts of Asia and Europe. Importantly, there have been no confirmed cases of mpox caused by this new Clade 1b strain in India.
Regarding the health of India’s first mpox case, the Ministry of Health has stated that the patient remains clinically stable with no systemic illness or comorbidities. The case is being managed according to established protocols and contact tracing and monitoring measures are in place to prevent further spread. At this point, there is no indication of widespread risk to the public.
Mpox Symptoms
The symptoms of mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. In more severe cases, patients may experience a distinctive rash that progresses through different stages: macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs. This rash usually begins on the face and gradually spreads to other parts of the body.
How Mpox Transmits
Mpox transmission occurs through direct contact with infected animals, humans, or contaminated materials. The virus can also spread through respiratory droplets, especially during prolonged close contact.
