The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently approved Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine for Monkeypox, also known as Mpox, making it the first vaccine available for use in African countries battling the outbreak. Meanwhile, India is on high alert after the first case of Monkeypox was reported on September 8, 2024. The Union Health Ministry has issued an advisory to intensify screening, raising concerns about the potential spread of the disease within the country.
The fear of a Monkeypox outbreak comes just years after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on India’s health infrastructure. Speaking to LiveMint, Dr. Arun Gupta, President of the Delhi Medical Council, expressed significant worry about the potential spread of the disease. “Yes, we should be worried. In this era of people moving quickly across the globe, the chances of infections spreading across countries are very high,” Dr. Gupta stated, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness for travelers arriving from abroad.
The first suspected case of Mpox in India involved a young male patient who had recently traveled from a country experiencing Mpox transmission. Dr. Anant Bhan, a public health researcher from Bhopal, advised that India should carefully monitor any emerging cases related to international travel. While acknowledging the global outbreak of Mpox in 2022, Dr. Bhan reassured that the possibility of it turning into a pandemic seems low at this point.
Monkeypox vs. COVID-19: Which is More Fatal?
Experts have clarified that Monkeypox is less fatal than COVID-19. However, the potential for global spread remains high. A consultant physician from Kolkata, speaking to LiveMint, highlighted the zoonotic nature of Monkeypox (transferred from animals) and the possibility of its widespread transmission. While the chances of human-to-human respiratory spread (as seen with COVID-19) are low, the doctor emphasized the importance of taking precautions. Another specialist doctor echoed this sentiment, noting that Monkeypox is not as deadly as COVID-19. According to her estimates, out of every 100 people diagnosed with Monkeypox, only three to six might die.
Monkeypox: What Health Bulletins Say
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in India has issued a bulletin explaining that Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, albeit less severe. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in July 2022, and it was re-declared in August 2024.
Monkeypox: Symptoms Similar to Chickenpox?
After contracting Monkeypox, visible symptoms typically appear within a 14-day incubation period. The most common initial symptoms, which usually last one to four days, include fever, headache, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits. Later, more severe symptoms, like skin lesions, develop. These lesions are blisters that resemble chickenpox and can appear on the face, trunk, arms, and legs, ranging in number from a few to a thousand. A key difference between Monkeypox lesions and chickenpox is that Monkeypox lesions frequently appear on the palms and soles. In rarer cases, skin lesions can affect other areas, such as the genitals, or be accompanied by oral ulcers (pharyngitis) and eye inflammation. Lesions on the genitals often cause painful lymph node swelling in the groin.
Preventing Monkeypox
The consultant physician stressed that Monkeypox spreads primarily through skin-to-skin contact. To protect yourself, avoid close contact, especially sexual contact, with individuals who have Monkeypox. Stay informed and follow public health guidelines for the most up-to-date information and recommendations.
