India confirms first Mpox case: Infectious disease expert Dr. Ramesh shares cause, symptoms, prevention

India has recently reported a confirmed case of Mpox in September 2024. The patient reportedly contracted the virus while traveling from a country where Mpox is actively circulating. The case involves the West African clade 2 of the virus, which is considered less severe than clade 1, currently affecting parts of Africa. Speaking with editorji. Dr. Venkat Ramesh, Consultant - Infectious disease, Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad explained how the infection spreads.

He said, "M Pox is a viral infection which is spread from human to human primarily via direct contact with infectious secretions or scabs or body fluids.

It can also be spread through fites which means through clothes used by the person who's suffering from the disease or other objects. Rarely, it can be spread via respiratory secretions as well. The most important thing to realize is that it spreads via close intimate contact."

This is not the first time Mpox has been reported in India, with around 30 previous cases since 2022. The Indian government has issued advisories to healthcare facilities to enhance surveillance, particularly among high-risk populations such as individuals with compromised immune systems, including those living with HIV. Airports have increased screening, especially for travelers from Mpox-affected regions. The primary symptoms of Mpox include a rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes, and the virus is mostly transmitted through close contact, including sexual contact.

Dr. Ramesh also said, "I do recommend is two things. One is that people engage in safe sex. I would not recommend unprotected vaginal or anal sex with somebody who is not your regular partner. And second is if you do by any chance have any symptoms that could suggest M pox and these include fever, skin lesions, or boils, swollen lymph glands, headache, muscle ache, weakness, just feeling like you've got the flu, it's important to visit your healthcare provider"

Though vigilance has increased, authorities emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low, and the situation is under control​.

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