New Delhi: Just when the world seemed to be returning to normal, another menace, monkeypox, wreaked havoc across the country. Monkeypox has spread to more than 60 countries where it is not endemic, resulting in more than 14,100 global cases. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has so far maintained that the spread of monkeypox is not alarming and is nowhere close to declaring it a pandemic. On the other hand, some states are also seeing an increase in Covid cases. Last month, the health ministry also stressed that the epidemic is not over yet and stressed on staying vigilant and observing Covid-appropriate behaviour. In the last 24 hours, 21,566 new cases have been reported in the country taking the total to 4,38,25,185. The number of active cases in the country has increased to 1,48,881.Also Read – Monkeypox Diet: 5 Foods That Will Help You Get Well Instantly
‘Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis’
According to the World Health Organization, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus that spreads from animals to humans) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.
With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and the subsequent end of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus in public health.
Cases of monkeypox in India
Earlier this week, a 31-year-old man who arrived in Kerala from Dubai tested positive for monkeypox, becoming the second case in India this year. State Health Minister Veena George said the patient, who arrived in Kerala on July 13, hailed from Kannur in north Kerala and was being treated at Pariaram Medical College there.
The minister also said that people who were in close contact with the patient are being closely monitored.
The first case of monkeypox, a rare but potentially serious viral disease, was reported on July 14 in the Kollam district of southern Kerala. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
How India is preparing to tackle monkeypox
After two cases of monkeypox were reported in the country, the Union Health Ministry reviewed measures for health screening of international travelers arriving in India at airports and ports.
The meeting was attended by Airport and Port Health Officers (APHOs and PHOs) and Regional Directors of Regional Offices of Health and Family Welfare. They were advised to conduct strict health screening of all incoming international travelers to reduce the risk of importation of monkeypox cases into the country, the health ministry said in a statement.
They were counseled on the clinical presentation of monkeypox disease and reoriented as per the Ministry of Health’s ‘Guidelines for the Management of Monkeypox Disease’.
They were also advised to coordinate with other stakeholder agencies such as immigration at international ports and airports to streamline health screening procedures besides ensuring proper linkage with designated hospital facilities at each port of entry for timely referral and isolation.
Monkeypox Outbreak: What You Need to Know
- Monkeypox usually presents with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes and can lead to a range of medical complications.
- It is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting 2 to 4 weeks.
- In the ‘Guidelines on Management of Monkeypox Disease’ issued to states and Union Territories, the Center said that human-to-human transmission occurs mainly through large respiratory droplets which usually require prolonged close contact.
- It can be transmitted by direct contact with body fluids or wound material, and also by indirect contact with wound material, such as through contaminated clothing or linen of an infected person.
- Animal-to-human transmission can occur through the bite or scratch of infected animals such as small mammals, including rodents (rats, squirrels) and non-human primates (monkeys, monkeys), or through the preparation of tree meat.
Incubation period
The incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) of monkeypox is usually 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days, the document said.
Case fatality ratio
The case fatality rate of monkeypox has historically ranged from 0 to 11 percent in the general population and is higher in young children. The case fatality rate in recent times is around 3-6 percent, the document said. T symptoms include lesions that usually begin within 1-3 days of the onset of fever, last about 2-4 weeks, and are often described as painful until the healing phase when they itch (crusting phase).
