Should India be worried about a mpox outbreak?

The WHO, after an uptick in the number of mpox cases in Central Africa, declared it a “global emergency” that needed immediate action. | EdexLive

The outbreak originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, plaguing the country for months. The country recorded 96 per cent of the 17,000 cases of mpox globally. The virus also spread to Uganda and Kenya. | EdexLive

Outside Central Africa, the virus also spread to Sweden and Pakistan. Even the Philippines recorded its first case of mpox today, August 19. | EdexLive

The symptoms of clade 1, the strain of mpox that is being transmitted currently include fever and aches in the head, back, and muscles similar to those seen during flu, along with distinct rashes all over the body. These rashes eventually turn into small sacs called vesicles. | EdexLive

Unlike swine flu or COVID-19, mpox is spread through skin-to-skin and sexual contact with an infected person. It is not an airborne disease. | Edexlive

So far, there have not been any recorded cases of mpox in India. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday, August 17 reviewed the preparedness to deal with a possible outbreak and asked officials to step up surveillance for quicker detection. | EdexLive

India's first mpox case was recorded in Kerala in 2022, from a traveller from the United Arab Emirates. That year, 27 more people were infected and two people succumbed to the virus. | EdexLive

So far, the outbreak led to 511 deaths all over the world. | EdexLive