India reports its first suspected Mpox case, Health Ministry says no cause for alarm

New Delhi: India has reported its first suspected Mpox (monkeypox) case after a young male traveler, recently returning from a country experiencing active Mpox transmission, was placed in isolation at a designated hospital. The patient is currently under close medical supervision and is reported to be in stable condition.

“Authorities confirmed that samples from the patient are being rigorously tested to determine if he has contracted Mpox. In the meantime, contact tracing efforts are in full swing to identify any individuals who may have come into contact with the patient. This precautionary measure aims to assess the risk and prevent further transmission within the country,” mentioned the statement from the union health ministry. 

“The case aligns with previous risk assessments conducted by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and health officials stress that there is no cause for public alarm. The country’s healthcare system is well-prepared to handle isolated cases linked to international travel, with robust protocols in place to manage and mitigate any potential risks,” the statement added further.

India has been on high alert following the global resurgence of Mpox cases, but officials remain confident in the nation’s ability to control such incidents through established procedures and rapid response mechanisms.

The WHO Mpox report as of September 3, 2024, details global data up to July 31, 2024. It has documented 102,997 confirmed cases of Mpox, 186 probable cases, and 223 deaths from 121 countries. The WHO has called for an urgent increase in vaccine production, particularly for African nations hit hardest by the outbreak. The MVA-BN vaccine, also known as Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic, is currently the only vaccine approved across major regions like the EU, United States, and Canada.