Indian Ministry of Health has reported the first confirmed case of monkeypox

The Indian Ministry of Health announced the first confirmed case of monkeypox (mpox) in the country.

“Laboratory tests have confirmed the patient’s infection with the West African Clade 2 monkeypox virus. This case is isolated and similar to the 30 previously reported cases in India since July 2022, and is not part of the ongoing public health emergency situation reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the Clade 1 virus,” the statement reads.

According to the ministry, the infected male patient recently returned from a country where monkeypox transmission is ongoing. The patient is being kept in a specialized isolation ward, and his condition remains clinically stable, with no underlying health conditions or comorbidities.

“Active public health measures are being taken to contain the situation, including contact tracing and monitoring. Currently, there are no signs of any widespread risk to the population,” the health ministry noted.

Since the beginning of 2024, over 17,500 cases of monkeypox have been reported in Africa, resulting in 517 deaths. In Europe, only Sweden has reported a confirmed case of monkeypox. Among Asian countries, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand have reported cases of monkeypox infection. Thai authorities confirmed the emergence of the Clade 1b strain, which poses a risk to humans, at the end of August.

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that can be potentially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. The infection is characterized by fever, intoxication, swollen lymph nodes, and a subsequent rash that progresses from spots to blisters, which eventually crust over and leave scars. In mild cases, the disease usually resolves on its own within 14 to 21 days.