This virus's transmission is notably difficult. MPox spreads only through unprotected close physical contact with an infected person, making it far less contagious than airborne diseases like COVID-19. Additionally, MPox is relatively benign in comparison; patients typically recover within 2 to 3 weeks, with very few fatalities.

WHO's Concerns

On August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the recent surge in MPox cases a global health emergency, sparking concerns, especially in Africa, where the disease risks spreading further across the continent and beyond. Since 2022, the WHO has reported 99,176 MPox cases and 208 deaths across 116 countries.

According to WHO’s own statement, the MPox outbreak is not another COVID-19; it is a challenge they are equipped to meet. The virus, though newly spotlighted, is not new to science. Armed with knowledge and established control methods, we have the means to rein in its spread.

Between 2022 and 2024, India reported only 30 cases of MPox, the latest being the one in March 2024. These cases were mostly travel-related or involved African nationals living in India. Currently, the virus’s upsurge is primarily confined to a few African countries, with the only cases in Sweden and Pakistan linked to travel to these regions.

Is It As Dangerous As COVID?

Mpox is fundamentally less dangerous than COVID-19 due to the differences in the viruses that cause these diseases. MPox is caused by a virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes the variola virus responsible for smallpox. This virus is a DNA virus with a double-stranded genome, known for its relative stability.

Unlike RNA viruses like the one responsible for COVID-19, which mutate rapidly, DNA viruses like MPox mutate at a much slower rate. This slower mutation rate results in fewer and more gradual changes in the virus's strains over time, reducing the likelihood of sudden, more virulent strains emerging. Consequently, MPox presents a lower risk of widespread or rapidly evolving outbreaks compared to the more unpredictable and highly transmissible COVID-19 virus.

For common citizens, this means that MPox is far less likely to pose the kind of widespread threat that COVID-19 did. The slower mutation rate of the MPox virus means it's less likely to produce new, more dangerous strains, making it easier to contain and manage. Unlike COVID-19, which spread rapidly and evolved quickly, MPox’s relatively stable nature means that it is less transmissible and more predictable.

As a result, while it's still important to be aware of the virus and follow public health guidelines, there is much less reason for the general population to be worried about MPox turning into a large-scale pandemic.

The early warning signs of COVID-19 were overlooked not just by citizens but by most governments globally and the WHO alike, leading to a global battle to restore public health and economic stability. This hard-earned lesson reminds us that caution is not just advisable—it's essential. Amid growing global concerns over the spread of MPox (formerly known as monkeypox), India's Union Health Ministry has issued directives for increased vigilance at all international airports and land ports, particularly those bordering Bangladesh and Pakistan. These measures aim to identify and isolate any incoming international passengers showing symptoms of MPox, a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus.

What Is India's Response?

To ensure effective management of potential MPox cases, the ministry has designated three central government-run hospitals in New Delhi as nodal centres for the isolation, treatment, and care of MPox patients.

Additionally, all state governments have been directed to identify and prepare hospitals within their regions to handle MPox cases, ensuring a decentralized approach that enables prompt and efficient medical care nationwide. To further bolster the response, the ministry has also instructed its network of testing laboratories to be ready for early diagnosis of MPox. Currently, 32 laboratories across India are equipped to test for the virus, enhancing the country’s capacity to detect and respond to any cases swiftly.

While there have been no reported cases of MPox in India so far, the government is taking pre-emptive steps to ensure readiness in case of an outbreak. It is assessed that the risk of a large-scale outbreak with sustained transmission in India is low.

Overall, while MPox warrants attention, India's proactive measures and the nature of the virus itself suggest that the situation is manageable. There is no need for widespread panic; instead, the focus should remain on maintaining vigilance and following public health guidelines.

(The author is a Mumbai-based policy researcher and corporate advisor. Views expressed are personal )