Mpox Health Emergency: Should India Be Worried? Mini Toolkit to Protect Yourself From Viral Disease

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially declared Mpox a global health emergency and the world need to be on its toes ow. HEre is a mini guide to understand the preventive measures one may take to lower the risk of the viral infection.

Mpox or monkeypox has been declared a “public health emergency of international concern. There has been an concerning upsurge of mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In declaring the PHEIC, Dr Tedros said, “The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”

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Mpox was detected first in 1970 in humans. The first human case of the virus originated from Congo and was caused by Orthopoxvirus.

Committee Chair Professor Dimie Ogoina said, “The current upsurge of mpox in parts of Africa, along with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the monkeypox virus, is an emergency, not only for Africa, but for the entire globe. Mpox, originating in Africa, was neglected there, and later caused a global outbreak in 2022. It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself.”

Mpox: Signs and Symptoms

Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact, causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. Most cases are mild but it can be fatal as well. It is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the same family as the virus that causes smallpox.

How Does Mpox spread?

Mpox can spread through close contact with an infected person or animal, including:

• Direct contact with skin lesions or scabs from an infected person.
• Breathing in respiratory droplets produced by an infected person when they cough or sneeze.
• Touching objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus.
• Sexual contact with an infected person.

Mpox Symptoms and Precautions

Symptoms of mpox typically appear within 5-21 days of exposure and can include:

• A rash that starts as flat spots and progresses to raised bumps, blisters, and then scabs. The rash often begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, including the hands, feet, chest, genitals, and anus.
• High fever
• Persistent headache
• Muscle and body ache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fatigue

Mpox is diagnosed based on a person’s symptoms, medical history, and a physical examination. In some cases, a laboratory test may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Mpox: Should India be Worried?

So, far no cases of mpox have been reported in the subcontinent. However, on the premise of being ready for health emergency, due preventive measures can help to lower risk of the viral infection.