New Delhi: A suspected case of Monkeypox (Mpox) has been identified in a young male patient, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed on Sunday. The patient, who recently traveled from a country experiencing active Mpox transmission, has been isolated in a designated hospital and is currently in stable condition.
Health officials revealed that the patient is exhibiting common symptoms of Mpox, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and painful rashes or boils on the skin, which are characteristic signs of the viral disease. These symptoms typically appear within 5 to 21 days after exposure, and patients may also experience swollen lymph nodes, chills, and fatigue.
The Ministry emphasized there is no cause for alarm and reassured the public that the situation is being closely monitored. The patient’s samples are undergoing testing to confirm the presence of Mpox, while contact tracing is underway to identify potential exposure sources.
Mpox spreads through close, skin-to-skin contact and can be severe, especially in people with weakened immune systems. The Health Ministry urged anyone experiencing similar symptoms, especially those who have recently traveled, to seek medical advice immediately.
In 2022, the disease caused a global outbreak, affecting countries including India. The World Health Organization (WHO) has since reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths from 116 countries. India recorded a total of 30 confirmed cases, with the last detected in March 2024.
Despite the outbreak, the Ministry reiterated that the country is fully prepared to handle such isolated cases. “There is no reason for undue concern,” it stated, with established protocols in place to manage any potential risk.
Mpox is a viral disease that spreads through direct physical contact with infectious rashes, body fluids, or contaminated materials. The global health community remains vigilant as the disease continues to spread across various countries, including Africa, where 24,851 suspected cases and 643 deaths have been reported since the start of 2024.
