– WHO declares Mpox a public health emergency of international concern due to new strain in Africa
– More than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths reported this year
– Mpox is a zoonotic illness originating in animals and transmits to humans
– Disease lasts two to four weeks and symptoms are similar to smallpox
– New strain Clade B1 spreading rapidly with high fatality rate
– India monitoring outbreak with health teams at airports and labs for testing
– Hospitals being prepared to treat Mpox patients
– Serum Institute of India working on vaccine in collaboration with ICMR