A total of 32,407 cases of monkeypox, including 6,441 confirmed cases and 840 deaths, have been reported across the African continent since the start of this year, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
M pox is a viral disease primarily found in monkeys and other wild animals, though it can occasionally spread to humans. Human transmission typically occurs accidentally, usually through direct contact with an infected animal. The disease is caused by the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox, but generally results in a milder infection.
A 38-year-old youth from Edavanna in Kerala’s Malappuram district, who showed symptoms of Mpox, has been put under observation at the Manjeri Medical College hospital.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of the Mpox virus of the West African ‘clade 2’ in the patient.
The Central government on Monday issued an advisory to the States and Union Territories (UTs) over the Mpox (monkeypox), calling upon for the screening and testing of all the suspect cases of the viral disease.
This marks the second time in three years that Mpox has reached emergency status.
India reported 27 laboratory-confirmed cases of Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) and one death between January 2022 and June 2024, said the World Health Organization’s (WHO) in its latest update on Tuesday.
The Israeli Health Ministry has reported the detection of new cases of monkeypox and measles in the country.
Cases of monkeypox in Indonesia have spread to five provinces, the Health Ministry said.
The ongoing monkeypox situation in the DRC remains a significant public health concern that necessitates continual monitoring and response, said the report.
