India's mpox update: India safe, no new cases since March; high-level meeting finds ‘low outbreak risk’

Amid fears over a potential mpox global outbreak, India held a high-level meeting on Sunday(Aug18) to assess its preparedness.

The latest assessment presented at the crucial meeting led by the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary, P K Mishra, shows that since March 2024, the nation has had no reports of cases of mpox. Furthermore, it was noted that "the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low".

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Global mpox scare

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As per reports, the virus has already spread to 12 African nations. Moreover, cases have been reported from Pakistan and Sweden. Despite this global alert, at the moment, India remains unaffected by a large-scale outbreak.

PM Modi's ongoing oversight

As per a press release about the high-level meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi "has been continuously monitoring the mpox situation."

It was noted that mpox is generally a self-limiting illness, with symptoms typically lasting two to four weeks. Most patients recover with proper care. The disease mainly spreads through close, prolonged contact with an infected person.

To prepare, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on August 12 held an expert meeting, where it evaluated the risk for India and outlined the necessary precautions.

"A Communicable Disease (CD) alert on mpox issued earlier by the NCDC is being updated to capture the newer developments," states the press release.

Furthermore, health teams at international airports (Ports of Entry) have been "sensitised".

Global mpox data

Worldwide, the WHO has reported 99,176 mpox cases and 208 deaths across 116 countries since 2022. However, as per latest data, the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen a sharp rise in cases, with over 15,664 suspected cases and 548 deaths this year alone, exceeding last year's figures.

In India, there have been 30 mpox cases since the WHO's Public Health Emergency of International Concern declaration in 2022, with the latest case detected in March 2024.