First Confirmed case of Mpox reported in New Delhi

India’s capital, New Delhi, has recorded the first confirmed case of Mpox. A 26-year-old man from Hisar, Haryana, was admitted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital following his return from a country with ongoing mpox transmission.

According to Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, who made a surprise visit to the hospital to review preparedness for both pox and dengue cases, the patient is currently isolated in a designated ward.

The patient, who only shows symptoms of genital ulcers and skin rashes without fever, was admitted on Saturday and is reportedly in stable condition.

 Health officials have confirmed that he has no underlying conditions, and there is no cause for widespread concern at this time.

Minister Bharadwaj assured the public that there is no need for panic, as mpox is primarily transmitted through direct contact rather than airborne pathways.

The Union Health Ministry has classified this case as isolated, with no immediate risk to the broader population.

The LNJP Hospital has been designated as the central facility for mpox treatment in Delhi, with 20 isolation rooms set aside, including 10 for confirmed cases.

 In addition, Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital and Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital are on standby, with each prepared to handle 10 confirmed and five suspected cases.

During his visit, Minister Bharadwaj also inspected the hospital’s dengue treatment capabilities, ensuring that emergency protocols for identifying and isolating patients are in place.

He emphasized that further surprise inspections of other medical facilities would be conducted to maintain a high standard of readiness.

Mpox, recently declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO), has been spreading across various regions. Delhi’s health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to respond to any additional cases.

As the situation evolves, the Delhi government continues to work diligently to protect public health while minimizing the impact of the virus.