More than four years after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO in March 2020, the threat of another major outbreak remains a concern. On August 14, the WHO declared the recent rise in Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) in Central Africa a global emergency requiring immediate action. The virus has spread beyond Africa to countries like Sweden and Pakistan, with the deadly Clade 1b strain contributing to its global reach.
Mpox has claimed over 500 lives, primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has reported more than 96% of the approximately 17,000 global cases this year.
Although India has not yet reported any Mpox cases, the Central government is closely monitoring the situation. Given the severe challenges faced by our healthcare system during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a strong desire to avoid being caught off guard this time.
Is Mpox as Dangerous as Covid-19 or Swine Flu?
Mpox is a zoonotic infection that causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. While it can be fatal in some cases, the WHO first declared it a global emergency in 2022.
More than four years after Covid-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO in March 2020, concerns about another widespread outbreak persist. On August 14, the WHO declared the recent increase in Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) in Central Africa a global emergency requiring urgent action. The virus has spread beyond Africa to countries such as Sweden and Pakistan, with the dangerous Clade 1b strain fueling the current surge.
The virus has claimed over 500 lives, primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has reported over 96% of the approximately 17,000 global cases this year.
Although India has not reported any cases, the Central government is monitoring the situation closely. Given the severe challenges faced by our healthcare system during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a strong desire to avoid being caught off guard this time.
Is Mpox as Dangerous as Covid-19 or Swine Flu?
Mpox is a zoonotic infection that causes flu-like symptoms and skin lesions. While it can be fatal in some cases, the WHO first declared it a global emergency in 2022. Mpox can be categorized into two clades: Clade 1, which is more severe and primarily found in Central Africa, and Clade 2, which is milder and found in West Africa. The current outbreak is driven by the more serious Clade 1b, identified in September of last year.
Unlike Covid-19 and swine flu, which are airborne and highly infectious, Mpox spreads through close skin-to-skin contact or by coming into contact with contaminated clothing or bedding. This makes Mpox less likely to become a pandemic on the scale of Covid-19. According to Rakesh K. Mishra, former director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Mpox’s transmission requires close physical contact, and its symptoms, such as visible blisters, make it easier to identify and isolate infected individuals.
India’s first Mpox case was recorded in Kerala in 2022, originating from a traveler from the UAE. The virus later spread within the country, with cases appearing in Delhi among individuals with no recent international travel. India reported 27 confirmed cases and one death in 2022, with the last case occurring in Kerala in March this year.
How to Stay Safe
In response to the WHO’s warning, both Central and state governments have initiated preventive measures. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are monitoring the situation and reviewing international trends. In Tamil Nadu, alerts have been issued, and airport health officers are tracking passengers from affected regions. Cities like Hyderabad and New Delhi, which have significant African student populations, are also on high alert.
The Need for Vaccines
The ICMR isolated the first Mpox strain in 2022, prompting calls for the development of vaccines and testing kits. Existing vaccines for smallpox and chickenpox may offer some protection. Mishra emphasizes the importance of monitoring disease spread and being ready for screening using available DNA-based diagnostic methods. While an effective vaccine exists, ensuring its availability may be challenging.
Preventive measures include avoiding close contact with suspected individuals, maintaining distance from those with symptoms, and wearing masks. Developed countries, particularly in Europe, have vaccines available for those at higher risk. In contrast, underdeveloped African countries, which lack both vaccines and the resources to acquire them, remain at the highest risk and require the most assistance.
