First Case of Mpox Reported in India: Here's All You Need to Know from Symptoms to Precautions

The first case of Mpox was reported in India on September 8th. According to the Union Health Ministry, a young male patient who recently travelled from abroad and is currently experiencing Mpox (monkeypox) transmission has been identified as a suspect case in the country.

The Health Ministry stated, "Samples from the patient are being tested to confirm the presence of Mpox . The case is being managed according to established protocols, and contact tracing is actively underway to identify potential sources and assess the impact within the country."

Africa is currently grappling with a major Mpox outbreak, with reports indicating thousands affected and around 500 deaths. Several other countries including India, Pakistan and Singapore have reported recent cases. 

The outbreak is reported to the more deadly Clade 1b strain. According to the WHO, the Clade 1b strain has caused death in about 3.6 per cent of cases, with children being more at risk.

What is Mpox ?

Mpox is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family as smallpox. People affected by Mpox often suffer from a rash, accompanied by other symptoms.

The illness typically spreads through direct contact with an affected person or contaminated surfaces or objects. In some cases, the virus can be transmitted from infected wild animals to humans, as Mpox is a zoonotic disease. Reports indicate that the virus causing Mpox has been found in small rodents, monkeys, and other mammals.

However, a US CDC report states that Mpox does not spread through the air like COVID-19. "Traveling on a flight with a person with Mpox does not appear to constitute an exposure risk or warrant routine contact tracing activities," reports suggest.

How Does It Spread?

Mpox usually spreads through direct or close contact with an infected person, including skin-to-skin contact such as touching or sexual activity, and respiratory droplets from face-to-face interactions such as talking, kissing, or breathing nearby.

According to the WHO, during the global Mpox outbreak in 2022, sexual contact became one of the most common modes of transmission of the virus.

Symptoms of the Virus

Typically, affected patients may experience rashes for at least 2-4 weeks, along with other symptoms like fever, muscle aches, back pain, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes. While cases of Mpox do not usually endanger life, some people may face severe symptoms.

The rash may appear similar to blisters or sores and can be seen on the affected person's face, hands, feet, and genital areas. It can also affect mucous membranes, such as the mouth, throat, or eyes.

In serious cases, patients may experience inflammation of the rectum (proctitis) or genitals, which can cause significant pain or difficulty urinating.

According to the WHO, some groups are at higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms, including:

- People with severely weakened immune systems
- Children younger than 1
- People with a history of eczema
- Pregnant individuals

More severe cases can lead to widespread lesions, secondary bacterial infections, or complications such as pneumonia, myocarditis, encephalitis, and other life-threatening conditions.

Precautions

As there is no specific antiviral treatment for mpox, care focuses on symptom management, including pain relief and prevention of complications. Most people with mpox who have intact immune systems and do not have skin disease can recover without medical treatment, relying on supportive care and pain control.

According to the WHO, there are several ways to prevent infection with the virus:

Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like mpox.

Maintain hygiene by regularly washing hands and cleaning contaminated surfaces.

Get vaccinated if your doctor recommends it.

If someone is affected by the virus, they are recommended to self-isolate. 

Is There a Vaccine Available to Cure Mpox ?

According to the WHO, three vaccines for mpox prevention have been recommended: MVA-BN, LC16, and ACAM2000. These vaccines are available in different countries and are primarily for people at high risk of exposure. However, the WHO does not recommend mass vaccination.

History of the Virus

The virus that causes mpox was first discovered in 1958 during outbreaks of a pox-like illness in colonies of monkeys used for research. 

Despite its name, "monkeypox," the exact source of the virus remains unknown. Scientists suspect that African rodents and non-human primates, such as monkeys, may harbor and transmit the virus to humans. 

In 2022, mpox spread globally. The World Health Organization renamed the disease in 2022 to adhere to modern guidelines for naming illnesses, which aim to avoid offending any cultural, social, national, regional, professional, or ethnic groups and to minimize negative impacts on trade, travel, tourism, or animal welfare. However, the virus itself retains its historical name.

WHO has launched a six-month plan to help stanch outbreaks of mpox transmission, including ramping up staffing in affected countries and boosting surveillance, prevention and response strategies.

(Inputs from agencies)