The Union health ministry said the strain is the one that was seen in the previous outbreak in 2022, and not the more virulent one seen globally in the current outbreak , and there is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time, the statement added.
The previously suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) has been verified as a travel-related infection. Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of Mpox virus of the West African clade 2 in the patient,” the ministry said.
On Sunday, the health ministry issued a statement that said specialised tests were underway to confirm whether a suspected case of mpox isolated in one of the designated hospitals to manage mpox is infected with the virus or not.
“This case is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of mpox,” the ministry added.
The patient, a young male who recently travelled from a country experiencing ongoing mpox transmission,According to the ministry statement, the patient is clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities.
“The case aligns with earlier risk assessments and continues to be managed according to established protocols. Public health measures, including contact tracing and monitoring, are actively in place to ensure the situation is contained. There is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time,” the ministry said.
The ministry advised the states again on Monday to screen and test all suspect cases in the community, and identify isolation facilities in hospitals for both suspects and confirmed patients.
