2022 monkeypox outbreak in India

2022 Monkeypox Outbreak in India
250px Electron micrograph of a monkeypox virion
Disease	Monkeypox
Source	Imported cases
Location	India
Index case	July 2022
Confirmed cases	10 (as of October 2022)
Deaths	0
Government website
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

The 2022 monkeypox outbreak in India refers to the series of monkeypox cases that were reported in India starting in July 2022. This outbreak was part of the larger 2022 monkeypox outbreak that affected multiple countries worldwide.

Background

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus. The disease is endemic in parts of Central and West Africa, but in 2022, there was a significant increase in cases reported outside of these regions, leading to a global outbreak.

Timeline of the Outbreak

July 2022

The first case of monkeypox in India was reported in July 2022 in the state of Kerala. The patient had a travel history to the Middle East, where monkeypox cases had been reported. Following this, additional cases were identified in Delhi and Maharashtra.

August 2022

By August, the number of confirmed cases in India had risen to 10. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued guidelines for the management and prevention of monkeypox, emphasizing the importance of surveillance and contact tracing.

Epidemiology

The cases in India were primarily linked to international travel, with no evidence of widespread community transmission. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted genomic sequencing of the virus, confirming that the strain was similar to the one circulating in Europe and North America.

Public Health Response

The Indian government implemented several measures to control the outbreak, including:

• Enhanced surveillance at airports and ports.
• Isolation of confirmed cases and monitoring of contacts.
• Public awareness campaigns to educate the public about monkeypox symptoms and prevention.

Clinical Features

Monkeypox typically presents with fever, headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash. The rash progresses through several stages before crusting and falling off. The disease is usually self-limiting, but severe cases can occur, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Prevention and Control

Preventive measures include avoiding contact with infected individuals and animals, practicing good hygiene, and using personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for patients. Vaccination with the smallpox vaccine has been shown to provide cross-protection against monkeypox.

Also see

• Monkeypox
• 2022 monkeypox outbreak
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India)
• Indian Council of Medical Research