India suspects first case of mpox from New Delhi: Health Ministry

The Union Health Ministry announced the identification of a suspected mpox case in India on Sunday

“A young male patient, who recently traveled from a country currently experiencing mpox transmission, was identified as a suspected mpox case,” the ministry said.

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

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

“The development of this case is in line with the previous risk assessment conducted by the NCDC (National Center for Disease Control) and there is no cause for undue concern,” the health ministry said.

WHO declares Mpox a public 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 warning, experts assessed the risk of mpox in India and said that while there could be a few imported cases, the likelihood of a large-scale outbreak with ongoing transmission remains low.

Since the infection was identified in 2022, India has recorded about 30 cases and one death. However, this is the first suspected case related to the current outbreak. The current outbreak raises concerns because of the spread of the clade Ib strain of mpox, which is transmitted primarily 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 taken strict measures to manage and mitigate any potential risk,” the health ministry said.

Since last month, health facilities at airports, seaports and land borders have been put on alert for the infection. In addition, laboratories and isolation facilities have been prepared.

Mpox is a disease caused by the mpox virus (MPXV). Typical symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, back pain, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a smallpox-like rash that persists for two to three weeks.

Although it usually goes away on its own, it can be fatal, especially in children and people with weakened immune systems.