The health ministry of India announced on Sunday that a guy who had traveled from a nation where the virus was on the rise may have had monkeypox, also known as mpox. The patient is presently in stable condition after being kept apart in a hospital. Tests are being done to confirm the infection even though the particular strain of the virus has not been made public.
The primary method of transmission for mpox is close physical contact, and most cases result in minor symptoms. Rarely, though, it might be lethal. Fever, exhaustion, and muscle aches are typical flu-like symptoms, which are followed by pus-filled sores on the skin. Usually painful, these lesions have the potential to leave scars when they heal. Even though the virus is mild, its propensity for quick dissemination makes it dangerous, especially in places with few healthcare resources or during widespread outbreaks.
The health ministry stressed that contact tracing is being carried out to identify any possible sources of infection and that the case is being managed in accordance with accepted medical procedures. This include determining who the patient may have interacted with, evaluating the patient’s health, and implementing precautions to stop the infection from spreading.
Since a new, highly contagious strain of mpox appeared in Africa, India has been on high alert. A report published in The Hindu in August, cautioning that the nation was closely monitoring the situation, is partially to blame for this increased awareness. The potential worldwide impact of the virus is highlighted by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of this outbreak as a public health emergency of international significance.
India had previously discovered 30 instances of the earlier clade 2 mpox strain between March 2022 and March 2024. But the more recent variety that is more virulent is the cause of concern. Although there haven’t been any significant outbreaks in India to date, the nation’s health authorities are taking measures to stop the virus from spreading within their borders.
While the nation awaits test results to confirm the suspected case, health officials are still concentrating on handling possible cases and reducing the danger of communication. To stop the virus’s spread, public health initiatives including awareness campaigns and focused contact tracing will be essential.
SOURCE:
THE PRINT
