New Delhi: India has reported its first confirmed case of Mpox (Monkeypox) as a man, who recently travelled from a country suffering an outbreak, has tested positive for the infection. The patient is stable and has been isolated in a facility. The patient has been confirmed for strain 'Clade II' of the Monkeypox virus.
The Union Health Ministry had on Sunday that a young male patient who recently returned to India from a country with active mpox transmission has been identified as a suspected case. The authorities on Monday said that "previously suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) has been verified as a travel-related infection." Samples from the person were tested to confirm the presence of the virus.
"Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of Mpox virus of the West African clade 2 in the patient," it said. The patient has been isolated at a "designated tertiary care isolation facility" and "remains stable without any systemic illness or comorbidities."
Risk Of Widespread Infection?
As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), which declared mpox a public health emergency, there are two distinct strains of the virus clade I and clade II. Clade I strain is responsible for the current rise of cases in Central and Eastern African countries.
Clade II strain is not part of the current public health emergency, as per the Union Health Ministry. Earlier, 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards were caused by Clade 2 strain. There is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time, the Union Health Ministry said.
"This case is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of mpox," read the statement.
Centre Issues Advisory
Earlier in the day, the Centre advised the states and Union territories to screen and test all suspect mpox cases in the community, and identify isolation facilities in hospitals for both suspects and confirmed patients.
In a letter to states and Union territories on Monday, Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra asked them to prevent any undue panic amongst the masses. “While all States are requested to undertake appropriate activities to make communities aware about the disease, its mode of spread, need for timely reporting and preventive measures, it is crucial that any undue panic amongst the masses is prevented,” the advisory read.