The government announced that it is closely monitoring monkeypox worldwide (1✔ ✔Reliable source
Monkeypox – National Center for Disease Control (NCDC)
) situation and implementation of preparedness and precautionary measures to prevent and control its spread. No new cases of monkeypox have been reported in India so far, the Health Ministry said. In the meeting with senior officials of the ministry, chaired by Health Minister JP Nadda, it was decided that as a precautionary measure, certain measures are being implemented. These are sensitising health units at all airports, seaports and land crossings, preparing testing laboratories and making health facilities ready to detect, isolate and manage any cases.
Monkeypox declared a public health emergency of international concern: authorities discuss containment strategies
The meeting was convened in light of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The meeting noted that monkeypox infections are typically self-limiting, lasting 2-4 weeks, and patients usually recover with supportive care.
Transmission requires close and prolonged contact with an infected person and usually occurs through sexual contact, direct contact with bodily or wound fluids, or contaminated bedding of an infected person. Globally, since 2022, WHO has reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths from monkeypox in 116 countries.
Since the WHO declaration in 2022, a total of 30 cases have been detected in India, with the last case in March 2024. The Centre said a meeting of the joint monitoring group, under the chairmanship of the Director-General of Health Services comprising experts from relevant fields, was held to review the situation.
Although the possibility of some imported cases being detected in the coming weeks cannot be completely ruled out, the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is currently assessed as low for India.
After reports of Mpox cases emerged in Sweden and Pakistan, infectious disease experts urged health authorities to start screening for the deadly infectious disease at major airports in India to help curb the spread.
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Reference:
- Monkeypox – National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) – (https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/monkeypox/)
Source-IANS
