Mpox has wreaked havoc globally. Amid the continuous surge in mpox cases, the virus also became the most searched keyword on Google Trends. In September 2024, mpox as a keyword on Google Trends saw many highs and lows.
The mpox was most searched term on September 9, as India reported its first case. On September 9, the previously suspected case of Mpox (monkeypox) has been verified as a travel-related infection, confirmed the Health Ministry.
“Laboratory testing has confirmed the presence of Mpox virus of the West African clade 2 in the patient. This case is an isolated case, like the earlier 30 cases reported in India from July 2022 onwards and is not a part of the current public health emergency (reported by WHO) which is regarding clade 1 of Mpox,’’ the Ministry said.
As per the Interest by subregion, among the 35 sub-regions, mpox was most searched in Mizoram, followed by Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa. Among cities, people of Aizwal and Imphal searched mpox the most.
Google Trends also reveals that user have searched for related queries like Kerala mpox case, mpox clade 1 India, desi indian, mpox Bengaluru airport and mpox disease kerala etc.
Mpox is a viral illness caused by the mpox virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mpox is a viral infection that can spread between people, mainly through close contact, and occasionally from the environment to people via things and surfaces that have been touched by a person with mpox.
Common symptoms of mpox include a rash which may last for 2–4 weeks. This may start with, or be followed by, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen glands (lymph nodes). The rash looks like blisters or sores, and can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and/or anal regions. These lesions may also be found in the mouth, throat, anus, rectum or vagina, or on the eyes.
According to available data, between 0.1% and 10% of people with mpox have died. It is important to note that death rates in different settings may differ due to several factors, such as access to health care and underlying immunosuppression, including because of undiagnosed HIV or advanced HIV disease, WHO stated.
