NEW DELHI

India on Monday verified a previously suspected case of mpox as a travel-related infection, saying laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the West African clade 2 viruses in the patient.

“This case is an isolated case, similar to the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards, and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of mpox,” the Health Ministry said. India detected 30 cases of the clade 2 older strain between July 2022 and March 2024.

The individual, a young male who recently traveled from a country experiencing ongoing mpox transmission, “is currently isolated at a designated tertiary care isolation facility.”

“The patient remains clinically stable and is without any systemic illness or comorbidities,” the ministry said, adding that the case aligns with earlier risk assessments and continues to be managed according to established protocols.

It added that “there is no indication of any widespread risk to the public at this time.”

Mpox can spread through close contact, and causes flu-like symptoms and lesions on the body.

The World Health Organization in August declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after the new clade I variant was identified in African countries.​​​​​​​