India has reported its first confirmed case of Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox), with a 26-year-old man from Hisar, Haryana, being diagnosed at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi. The patient, who was admitted on Saturday, had his diagnosis confirmed on Monday, according to Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj. He reassured the public that the patient remains in stable condition and there is no immediate threat to public health.
Details of the MPOX Case
The patient, who had recently travelled from a country experiencing an active Mpox outbreak, was promptly admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital—a designated tertiary care facility for Mpox cases in Delhi. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a statement confirming that the man is currently isolated and receiving treatment. “The patient remains clinically stable, with no systemic illness or comorbidities,” the ministry added.
Health Minister’s Response and Public Reassurance
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj conducted a surprise inspection at the hospital on Tuesday, during which he assessed the hospital’s preparations for dealing with both Mpox and dengue. He emphasized that there is no need for public panic, as Mpox is not airborne and spreads only through direct contact with infected individuals.
“It spreads through contact, not through the air,” Bharadwaj said, reinforcing that public health protocols are in place to contain the disease.
Hospital Preparations and Isolation Facilities
Lok Nayak Hospital has been designated as the nodal facility for treating Mpox patients in Delhi. The hospital currently has 20 isolation rooms, 10 of which are reserved for suspected cases, and the remaining for confirmed patients.
In addition to Lok Nayak, two other hospitals—Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital and Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital—have prepared isolation facilities, with five rooms each for both suspected and confirmed Mpox cases. The central government hospitals, including Safdarjung Hospital and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), have also kept isolation wards ready to handle any potential surge in cases.
Preparedness for MPOX Across Delhi
Minister Bharadwaj further stated that surprise inspections will be conducted at other hospitals across the city to ensure preparedness in case of a rise in Mpox cases. The goal is to make sure that every hospital is equipped with the necessary isolation facilities to handle both suspected and confirmed cases.
Global and National Outlook
Mpox was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 14 for the second time in two years. The Indian health authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the containment of the disease and prevent any further spread.
While the detection of the first case is concerning, the swift action by health officials and the extensive preparations made in Delhi hospitals highlight India’s readiness to tackle the situation.
Conclusion
The first Mpox patient in India is currently in stable condition, and authorities are taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety and health of the public. Continued vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines will be crucial in managing and preventing the spread of this disease in the coming days.
For more details related to MPOX, you can read our other blog.
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