NEW DELHI: Foreseeing one more viral attack on global health, and the rising cases The World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared M-pox, formerly known as monkeypox, a global public health emergency.
According to WHO, approximately one lakh cases of M-pox have been recorded globally since 2022, with 208 deaths, However, this year alone, approximately 16 thousand cases and 537 deaths have occurred, making the current situation more concerning.
Dr Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, speaks with The New Indian about why this time the virus is so severe.
He continues, “There are two forms of M-pox found: clade 1 and clade 2, with clade 1 being more severe and causing the majority of deaths this time around.
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M-pox this time is spreading severely around the globe, especially in African countries which is spread by physical contact and in some cases even through respiratory droplets.
Dr Tayal then speaks on the fatality rate of the virus, “Clad 1 virus has 1 to 10% fatality rate whereas previously clad 2 virus was spread which had only 1% fatality rate.
The spread of M-pox has been particularly severe in African countries, where it is transmitted through close physical contact and, in some cases, respiratory droplets.
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Dr Tayal noted that the clade 1 virus originated in Central Africa, while clade 2 emerged from West Africa. This time, the virus is not only spreading through physical contact but also through genital areas, with transmission occurring via contact with infected animals and respiratory droplets.
In India, at least 30 cases have been reported since 2022, with the latest case emerging in March. In response to the escalating threat, the Indian government is intensifying its preparedness. The Health Ministry has mandated early diagnostic measures, designating three state-run hospitals in Delhi—Safdarjung, Ram Manohar Lohia, and Lady Hardinge—as primary M-pox facilities.