Despite India reporting only 30 cases since 2022, with the last detected in March 2024, the government remains on high alert. The WHO’s declaration of Mpox as a PHEIC has underscored the importance of continued vigilance. The World Health Organization declared a global health emergency on August 14 after the new strain, known as Clade Ib, began to multiply from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighbouring African countries. Money pox otherwise called as Mpox is a potentially deadly infection. It causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, and a rash that can take weeks to clear and pus-filled lesions which spreads through close physical contact. Mpox (monkeypox) rash can be painful, with spots that change over time before scabbing and falling off. There’s no proven treatment for mpox, but it usually goes away on its own. However symptomatic treatment is recommended.
It is emphasized that there is no reason to panic over mpox as only 30 infections have been reported in the country since 2022, according to official sources from the public health and also the Ministry of Health Govt of India. Monkeypox is a rare disease similar to smallpox caused by a virus. It’s found mostly in areas of Africa but has been seen in other regions of the world also. According to some reports at least 4 Mpox cases are outside Africa 1 in Sweden, 3 in Pakistan. Transmission of Clade 1b of Mpox may be different that clade 2; which was prevalent in 2022-23 cases. Based on this government of India is getting prepared for screening, testing and contact tracing.
Launch of Monkeypox RT-PCR kits: It is the happiest news to make a diagnosis of Mpox disease, on August 24, 2024, the Andhra Pradesh Med Tech Zone (AMTZ) in Visakhapatnam, India, announced the launch of the ErbaMDx Monkey Pox RT-PCR Kit, which is the first indigenously developed testing solution for monkeypox in the country. The kit was developed in collaboration with Transasia Diagnostics Private Limited, which is also located at AMTZ. The announcement came as the Union Government has been issuing alerts due to growing concerns about the spread of monkeypox, though they have assured people that no severe cases have been detected. The kit has the potential to be a game-changer in the fight against the viral disease. The RT-PCR kits have been validated by the Indian Council for Medical Research and authorized by the CDSCO, this kit features lyophilized components for ambient temperature storage and ensures accuracy with zero cross-reactivity. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, (CDSCO) which is India’s National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for drugs and cosmetics. The CDSCO is under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Directorate General of Health Services.
What is Mpox?
Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is a rare disease caused by a virus. It leads to rashes and flu-like symptoms. Like the better-known virus that causes smallpox, it’s a member of the genus orthopoxvirus Mpox spreads through close contact with someone who’s infected. This can also be transmitted from an infected animal. There are two known types (clades) of the Mpox virus — one that originated in Central Africa (Clade I) and one that originated in West Africa (Clade II). The current world outbreak (2022 to 2023) is caused by Clade IIb, a subtype of the less severe West African clade. Mpox is rare. But the number of cases are increasing in Africa, as well as in regions that haven’t seen these infections before. For decades, Mpox was mostly seen in Africa. But it’s occasionally found in other countries, including the United States. In the summer of 2021, a case of Mpox was found in a U.S. resident who had traveled from Nigeria to the United States. Then, 2022 brought outbreaks to regions outside of Africa, including Europe, the Americas and Australia.
Spread of mpox: Anyone can get Mpox. In Africa, most cases are among children under 15 years old. Outside of Africa, the disease appears to be more common in men who have sex with men (MSM), but there are numerous cases in people who don’t fall into that category. Spread is seen even in bisexuals and sex with multiple partners and close contacts.
Signs and symptoms of mpox?
After exposure, it may be several days to a few weeks before one develops symptoms. Signs of Mpox include to explain more elaborately fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and weakness. The rash starts as flat, red bumps, which can be painful. Those bumps turn into blisters, which fill with pus. Eventually, the blisters crust over and fall off. The whole process can last two to four weeks. Some people get sores in the mouth, face, hands, feet, penis, vagina or anus. Not everyone with Mpox develops all the symptoms. Different ways people experience symptoms include either a rash (no other symptoms), or other symptoms developing later. Flu-like symptoms, then a rash. Some people don’t get a rash at all. A rash can be widespread, but some people only a have few bumps or blisters.
One can have Mpox and not know it and may not show any signs of infection, it’s possible that one can still spread it to others through prolonged close contact. Transmission of the virus, prevention, management, and latest vaccinations will be discussed in the coming issues. (to be concluded)
