India Reports Isolated Outbreak of West African Clade 2 Empox Virus

The Indian Ministry of Health announced on the 9th that the results of tests on suspected Empox patients who recently entered the country were an isolated outbreak of a previously prevalent virus. This is an explanation that it is not the new variant Empox currently spreading mainly in Africa.

According to a statement by the health ministry, “Test results showed that the patient was infected with the West African clade 2 Empox virus.” The ministry added that “this is an isolated case, similar to 30 cases reported in India since July 2022.”

India announced on the 8th that a traveler from a country where Empox was present had symptoms suspected of Empox. Aside from this patient, India has not reported any new Empox cases so far. However, the government advised all areas of the country to remain on Empox alert.

The World Health Organization (WHO) re-declared Empox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the first time in two years last month as the new variant Empox spreads rapidly worldwide.