Mpox in India? First suspected case is being investigated; patient isolated – The Week

A young man who had recently arrived from a country where transmission of Mpox (monkeypox) is currently occurring was isolated in a hospital after showing symptoms of the infection.

The patient is stable and his samples are being tested to confirm the presence of Mpox, the government said in a statement.

“The case is being treated in accordance with established protocols and contact tracing is ongoing to identify potential sources and assess the impact in the country,” the health ministry said in a statement.

It said the development of this case was in line with the previous risk assessment of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and there was no cause for concern.

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

Mpox, a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, continues to remain a threat after a rise in cases was reported in several African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo. Outside Africa, cases have been reported in Sweden and Pakistan.

Last month, the World Health Organization declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

According to a warning from the WHO, the most common symptoms of Mpox are a rash or mucous membrane lesions that can last for 2–4 weeks and are accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes, according to the World Health Organization.