Delhi reports its first case of monkeypox; fourth case in India

The 31-year-old man has no history of foreign travel.

Delhi has confirmed its first case of monkeypox on July 24, 2022, a day after it was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organisation.

A 31-year-old male admitted at a city hospital, has tested positive for monkeypox in the Capital.

The patient has no travel history and was admitted some days back with fever and skin lesions.

The condition of the patient is stable and sample was sent to NIV Pune.

Meanwhile the World Health Organization on Sunday called on countries in South-East Asia Region to strengthen surveillance and public health measures for monkeypox, with the disease being declared a public health emergency of international concern.

“Monkeypox has been spreading rapidly and to many countries that have not seen it before, which is a matter of great concern. However, with cases concentrated among men who have sex with men, it is possible to curtail further spread of the disease with focused efforts among at-risk population,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region.

Globally, over 16,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported from 75 countries. In the WHO South-East Asia Region, four cases of monkeypox have been reported, three from India and one from Thailand. The cases in India are among nationals who returned home from the Middle East, while in Thailand an international living in the country has been confirmed positive for monkeypox.