Amid growing concerns about mpox, experts fear the virus could become as deadly as Covid. Here’s everything you want to know about its spread.
The deadly new strain of Mpox, often called monkeypox, first emerged in central Africa and has since spread across the continent and beyond, posing a serious threat to global public health. The virus, once confined to isolated areas, is now closing in on India as Pakistan has reported its first cases.
Photo Gallery: From the vaccine to the first symptoms: 6 essential things you should know about Mpox
HOW CAN INDIA PROTECT ITSELF FROM MPOX?
The unanswered question is: is India well equipped to handle another possible pandemic? “It is evident that Mpox is highly transmissible through close human contact, particularly during intimacy or through sexual fluids. This includes actions like touching, hugging, kissing or even sharing utensils or clothes of an infected person,” Dr Prashant Sinha, Head of Emergency, PSRI Hospital, told IANS.
The virus can also spread through contact with contaminated materials such as bedding, towels or surfaces that have been exposed to the virus, Dr Sinha added. “We need to be very vigilant about approaching an infected person or a potential carrier who has a travel history, particularly to any African nation,” he added. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a global health emergency due to the rapid spread of malaria in 13 African nations, including Congo, where 14,000 cases and 524 deaths have been documented. “Mpox affects brain function and headache is just one manifestation of it.
The virus can cause inflammation in brain tissues, leading to more severe conditions like encephalitis. “We need to be vigilant and closely monitor patients, particularly those presenting with neurological symptoms, to ensure timely intervention,” Dr Praveen Gupta, Senior Director and Head of Neurology, Fortis Hospital, told IANS. He added that the neurological impact of Mpox demands the need for a multidisciplinary approach to manage the disease. Experts suggest a multi-pronged approach to prevent the spread of Mpox in India, including public awareness campaigns, vaccination drives and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
Early detection and isolation of cases are crucial, and WHO recommends contact tracing and quarantine measures. Public awareness campaigns and preparedness are essential to prevent Mpox from becoming a widespread epidemic. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic should serve as a wake-up call for India. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by the MPXV virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. This virus belongs to two different genetic clades: clade I and clade II.
The disease is spread primarily by direct contact with infected people, animals, or contaminated objects. Symptoms include severe skin rash, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. The virus was originally discovered in 1958 in Danish research monkeys, and the first human case was documented in the Congo in 1970. Following the elimination of smallpox in 1980, Mpox began to emerge in central, eastern, and western Africa.
(Inputs: IANS)
