Monkeypox in India: 26 year old man from Haryana tests positive

The suspected case of monkeypox identified in India has tested positive. "Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of mpox virus of the West African Clade 2 in the patient," the health ministry said in a statement.

The 26 year old man from Haryana's Hisar had returned to the country from abroad. He was admitted to Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital on Saturday.

Mpox's resurgence, and the detection in the Democratic Republic of Congo of a new strain, dubbed Clade 1b, prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare its highest international alert level on August 14. The new Clade 1b strain was first detected among sex work in eastern DR Congo in September 2023. Clade 1b cases have been recorded in nearby Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda -- none of which had previously detected mpox. They have also been detected in Asia and Europe.

There have been no confirmed cases of mpox caused by the new strain of the virus in India, a country of 1.4 billion people.

Three Delhi government hospitals -- Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital, GTB and Baba Saheb Ambedkar -- have set up isolation rooms for suspected and confirmed cases of the disease.

The symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. These are followed by a distinctive rash that progresses through stages: macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs, often starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body.

Transmission of monkeypox occurs through direct contact with infected animals, humans, or contaminated materials. It can also spread through respiratory droplets, especially in prolonged close contact.

Preventing monkeypox involves several strategies. In areas experiencing outbreaks, practicing good hygiene, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, helps reduce transmission. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare settings and isolation of infected individuals also play important roles in controlling the spread.