While waging a war against COVID-19, we now face another pandemic,
monkeypox. Dealing with COVID-19 was much more challenging due to the lack of preparedness and insufficient infrastructure. We hadn’t encountered a pandemic of this scale in a long time, which made the situation even more difficult. However, many valuable lessons were learned—primarily the need for better preparedness.
On September 9, the health ministry of India announced that a man who had recently returned from a country where the
Mpox was being spread had tested positive for the illness. The patient, a young male, is presently claimed to be in stable condition after being admitted on September 9 to the government-run LNJP Hospital in Delhi. This brings into question if Indians are prepared for another pandemic after Covid-19.
India's response to COVID-19 highlighted the importance of rapid mobilization, mass vaccination drives, and enhancements to public health infrastructure. A similar approach should be adopted for Mpox, but with a more targeted strategy. Swift containment, widespread education on transmission, and focused vaccination campaigns for at-risk groups are crucial to prevent the spread of the disease.
Early detection may be a game changer
According to Dr. Ankita Baidya, Consultant - Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, New Delhi, “Early detection and clear communication are vital to preventing escalation, as seen with COVID-19. Although Mpox doesn't have the same widespread impact, preparedness and a proactive strategy are essential to prevent outbreaks. The development of effective and safe vaccines has already commenced, with clinical trials underway.”
Transmission matters
Unlike COVID-19, which primarily spread through aerosol droplets, Mpox is mainly transmitted through direct contact. This difference underscores the need for strict adherence to contact precautions, including maintaining isolation periods for suspected cases to prevent further transmission. By learning from the COVID-19 experience and adopting a targeted approach, India can effectively contain Mpox and prevent widespread outbreaks.
According to Dr. Manisha Mendiratta, Associate Director & Head - Pulmonology, Sarvodaya Hospital Sector -8, Faridabad, “There were numerous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including hospital overcrowding, oxygen shortages, and a lack of adequate diagnostic tests. India can apply these lessons to monkeypox. Strong infrastructure is essential, along with effective medicines to combat infections, and vaccinations, which played a crucial role in managing the outbreak. Early diagnosis and detection are key, along with proper surveillance and widespread public awareness campaigns on social media and other platforms to educate people on prevention measures. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and prioritizing vaccination are crucial steps as well.”
India's potential risk for an
Mpox outbreak is shaped by several factors:
1. High Population Density: India's densely populated cities can act as hotspots for transmission, making it crucial to swiftly identify and isolate cases to prevent widespread contagion.
2. Frequent Travel: High volumes of domestic and international travel increase the likelihood of importing new cases, as illustrated by the recent suspected Mpox case involving a traveller.
3. Healthcare Inequities: Significant disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural areas may hamper timely detection and effective management of Mpox cases.
What are the risk factors for India?
According to Dr Laxman Jessani, Consultant Infectious Diseases Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, “At the moment, the risk factors for Mpox include very close and intimate contact with people who already have Mpox. So far, the current outbreak is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries. If you're travelling to those areas, you are at risk. It doesn't really spread with casual contact but rather with close, intimate contact with people who have Mpox.”
What has changed since Covid-19 outbreak?
We have to understand that Covid-19 and Mpox are two different diseases. Mpox is not as transmissible as Covid-19. Covid-19 was very transmissible, but Mpox is not as transmissible. People who will get infected with Mpox are those in very close, intimate contact with people who have Mpox or those travelling to those areas where it is spreading.
Is India prepared for an Mpox Outbreak?
According to Dr. Tanu Singhal, Consultant, Paediatrics and Infectious Disease, at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, “ India is significantly better prepared for a potential Mpox outbreak than it was during the early days of Covid-19. Drawing on past lessons, the government has enhanced surveillance systems, updated protocols, and strengthened testing infrastructure, with 32 laboratories now equipped for Mpox diagnostics. Public health authorities are actively engaging in awareness campaigns to educate healthcare providers and the public, aiming to avoid panic while ensuring timely reporting of cases. High-level coordination meetings are regularly conducted to evaluate the situation and update response strategies.”
However, challenges remain. India's preparedness will depend on maintaining a high level of vigilance, ensuring rapid and coordinated responses, and overcoming health care access disparities across regions. Sustained efforts in surveillance, contact tracing, and risk communication are critical to managing any potential cases effectively and preventing a widespread outbreak.
Taking proactive measures, such as making diagnostic tests more accessible to local healthcare providers, will help manage the situation. Ensuring proper isolation and quarantine of suspected or positive cases is another vital step. Furthermore, international cooperation is critical to support each other during such outbreaks. Finally, addressing misinformation is crucial—dispelling unnecessary fears, debunking incorrect treatment practices, and combating myths related to viral infections must be communicated clearly to patients.
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