India has reported a suspected case of mpox in a man who recently traveled from a country experiencing an outbreak of the virus, according to the health ministry on Sunday.
The patient has been isolated in a hospital and is currently in stable condition, the ministry stated. While the specific strain of the mpox virus the patient might have is not specified, tests are underway to confirm the infection. Mpox, which can be transmitted through close contact, is generally mild but can be fatal in rare instances. It presents with flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body.
The ministry noted, "The case is being managed in accordance with established protocols, and contact tracing is ongoing to identify potential sources and assess the impact within the country." Last month, The Hindu daily newspaper reported that India had been on alert since a new strain of mpox became virulent in Africa. The World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern following the identification of the new variant.
India had previously detected 30 cases of an older strain, known as clade 2, between 2022 and March 2024.
