Facing Mpox Challenge

On 19 August 2024, India’s Union Health Ministry came out with an update on a new strain of the monkeypox virus that has resurfaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo and more than a dozen other African nations. This strain has a 3% mortality rate while the previous less fatal strain recorded in previous outbreaks has a 0. 1%. The fatalism and the possibility of it turning into zoonotic infection worries the whole world, especially, India as the virus can develop and spread, if necessary, measures are not taken.

The Indian government feels that the likelihood of the virus spreading from Africa to India is moderate, but it has not sounded a general alarm yet. However, all the hospitals and all the doctors in the country have been warned and have been advised to admit any patient with monkeypox immediately.

The Health Ministry is also discussing large-scale testing provisions should the need arise – this just goes to show that preparations are underway because of this new threat. Till date no instances of monkeypox have been reported in India but the ministry is regularly monitoring the situation.

Monkeypox is characterised by signs like rash which takes two-four weeks to resolve, and that is usually accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, pains and tiredness, and swollen lymph nodes. It is characterized by maculopapular to vesicular eruptions located in the face, palms, soles, as well as other areas of the skin, and lesions vary from few up to several thousands.

Most often people contact the virus through contact with an infected human or an infected animal. Transmission from one human being to another is done by: Touching the rash, exposure to saliva or respiratory secretions, a touch of or contact with objects or substances contaminated with the virus. The WHO has also urged that more research must be done to establish how the virus transmits within various premises.

Crowded population of India and considerable intra as well as intercountry mobility add to the problem of controlling the spread of the virus. Therefore, it can be considered that the risk of virus spread from Africa is moderate, however, the fact that there may be such cases, as well as cases of transmission before the appearance of symptoms complicates the fight against the virus. While its health care delivery system is comparatively well-developed, India’s health care centre could possibly reach its limit in case the virus spreads rampantly, hence, early case detection, isolation and treatment should be the main strategies to avoid an epidemic.

Hence, India preparedness strategy has elements of identification, control, and prevention, and awareness promotion. The Health Ministry’s warning given to the hospitals and doctors helps in early detection and handling of any probable instances.

This approach is in consonant with standard world practices in infectious disease control because of emphasis on surveillance and speed. Also, the government is contemplating increasing the production of large-scale test kits and ensuring that there is quick identification of individuals who are infected particularly within the high-risk zones to avoid contamination of the community with the virus.

Another strategic instance that will be crucial in stopping an outbreak in India will be awareness campaigns. Informing the public about the signs, ways through which monkeypox spreads, and how it can be prevented will help control spread the virus and encourage people with such symptoms to seek medical assistance.

For now, the situation in India is stabilized, however, the aggravating circumstances are that Africa has the virus of a more malignant modification of monkeypox. Furthermore, community education and appropriate actions to be provided by the health organizations will remain crucial for preventing the population from this emerging health threat.

By:Dr. Mehak Jonjua