Monkeypox patient found in India, is the danger looming here after Africa? Know what the experts are saying

New Delhi: The threat of monkeypox has once again started looming over India. A suspected case of monkeypox has been reported in the country. However, after the suspected case came to light, health experts said on Monday that there is no need to panic, as the chances of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) taking the form of an epidemic are very low. Monkeypox has created havoc in Africa these days. Meanwhile, the concern of the people has increased due to the finding of a patient of this virus in India.

patient’s condition is stable

Last year too, the threat of monkeypox had increased in India. The 30 cases of monkeypox that were reported in the country in July 2022 were of Clade 2 virus. This time the suspect is also suffering from Clade 2. Clade 2 is not a part of the health emergency at the moment. The patient’s condition is stable, there is no immediate risk from this virus right now. Let us tell you that Clade 1 is wreaking havoc in Africa.

‘No need to panic’

Meanwhile, Professor Dr. Harshal R. Salve at AIIMS Delhi said, “There is no need to panic. I agree that the mortality rate is still high, but infection is possible only in cases of close contacts.” he/she said, “The possibility of infection without direct contact is very low, so the chances of monkeypox becoming a widespread epidemic are minimal.”

What is monkeypox?

Ampox is a viral disease. It causes fever and rashes on the body. After infection, lymph nodes swell or their size increases. Lymph nodes are part of the body’s immune system. Salve said that it is a self-healing disease and patients recover within four weeks. It has spread to about 13 countries in Africa, due to which the World Health Organization (WHO) had to declare it a global health emergency.

Government gave information

The central government had said on Sunday that symptoms of monkeypox have been found in a young man. The patient has been kept in isolation in a hospital. This is the first suspected case of monkeypox in the country. The statement of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the young man who has symptoms of monkeypox had recently returned from a travel to an infection-affected country. The ministry said, ‘The patient has been kept in isolation and his/her condition is stable at present. However, the ministry has not told which country the young man had traveled to. Also, which state he/she is from has also not been disclosed.

(With agency inputs)