India Reports First Travel-Related Mpox Case; Government Emphasizes Vigilance

A young male patient, recently returned from abroad, tested positive for an older strain of Mpox, prompting increased public health measures.

India confirmed its first travel-related Mpox case, involving a western African strain, not part of the current WHO-declared public health emergency.
The patient is isolated and stable, with no systemic illness or comorbidities, and contact tracing is ongoing.
The Indian government stressed the importance of vigilance, testing, and preparation in healthcare facilities to manage potential cases.
The WHO declared a new Mpox strain, clade 1b, a global health emergency due to its rapid spread and higher fatality rates compared to previous strains.
Over 100,000 lab-confirmed Mpox cases have been reported across 120 countries since January 2022, with significant outbreaks in Africa.