India has confirmed a suspected case of monkeypox in a traveler returning from a country experiencing a surge in infections. The case has been isolated and is undergoing testing, with initial reports suggesting it could be the Clade 2 variant, which is not currently part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) emergency alert.
Although this is an isolated case, the Health Ministry has issued advisories to all states and union territories to increase awareness about the spread, timely reporting, and prevention measures for monkeypox. The Ministry emphasizes that, so far, no confirmed positive cases have been reported in India from the suspected cases that have undergone testing.
Nationwide Precautions and Awareness Initiatives
All states have been urged to accelerate screening and testing of suspected cases at healthcare facilities. The Center has also advised district-level authorities to report any suspected, probable, or confirmed monkeypox cases promptly. This would help prepare for contact tracing and other surveillance activities to curb the spread.
Special attention is being given to sexually transmitted disease clinics and healthcare workers under the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). They are being trained to recognize common symptoms, diagnose cases accurately, and take appropriate action when necessary.
India’s disease surveillance network, as part of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program, will closely monitor suspected cases, while health units at entry points such as airports will step up screening efforts.
Global Impact of Monkeypox
The WHO has classified monkeypox as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern,” with over 1 lakh confirmed cases across 122 countries reported between January 2022 and August 2024. During this period, the disease has claimed 220 lives.
Most of these cases have been identified among individuals aged 18 to 44, with the median age being 34. Monkeypox primarily spreads through person-to-person contact, initially causing rashes followed by fever.
India has previously reported 30 isolated cases of monkeypox since July 2022, all of which were managed effectively without further escalation. The Health Ministry is taking a similar approach with the current suspected case to ensure the virus does not spread.
By raising awareness and reinforcing surveillance, India aims to prevent any potential outbreak of monkeypox while safeguarding public health.
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