Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus. It is a disease with symptoms similar to smallpox, although less severe.
Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions that last 2-4 weeks, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle ache, and swollen lymph nodes.
No mpox cases have been reported in India in recent weeks. The last was reported in March 2024. However, precautions will be put in place to prevent and control the spread of the disease, the Indian Health Ministry has said, adding that it's sensitising health units at airports etc.
Mpox can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals, the WHO has said.
There are two vaccines recommended by the World Health Organization for mpox, but some countries are yet to approve them. The WHO has initiated an emergency-use listing process to fast-track vaccine access.
The outbreak of the viral infection started in parts of Africa and is spreading to other countries, including Pakistan.
The WHO has estimated that an initial funding of $15 million is needed to boost surveillance, preparedness and response efforts as part of its regional plan for affected countries in Africa.
Since 2022, the WHO has reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths due to mpox from 116 countries. A total of 30 cases were detected in India.
WHO Chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has declared the rise of mpox case in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) & other African countries a public health emergency of international concern. In DRC, over 15,000 cases and 537 deaths have been reported this year.