The Union Health Ministry has released the latest instructions for all international airports and border authorities especially those which have land ports with Pakistan and Bangladesh to be on high alert because of Monkeypox (Mpox). All incoming passengers exhibiting symptoms of Mpox need to be traced and sent directly to the hospital. Though India is currently placed at low risk still officials have been asked to boost testing capabilities and 32 laboratories have been set up for the Mpox testing.
For treatment of any suspected Mpox cases, isolation and management of the patients will be handled by three central hospitals in New Delhi. These are Safdarjung Hospital, Lady Hardinge Hospital, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. The state government has also been instructed to identify similar hospitals within their area of control.
WHO declares global public health emergency
WHO declares global public health emergency
Last week, the WHO declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to its widespread prevalence across various regions in Africa. According to a WHO update, since 2022, there have been 99,176 reported cases and 208 deaths from mpox across 116 countries, PTI reported.
New strain discovered, four more countries report cases
Last week, a new variant of the mpox virus was identified in Sweden. While officials have indicated that the risk to the general public remains “low,” they anticipate “sporadic imported cases” to persist, according to AP. Additionally, scientists are concerned about a new variant found in Congo, which may be more easily transmitted.
This variant is associated with milder symptoms and lesions primarily affecting the genitals, in contrast to earlier outbreaks where lesions were mostly observed on the chest, hands, and feet. This change in symptom presentation complicates detection, increasing the risk of unrecognised transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reported the first detections of mpox in four East African countries—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda—linked to the ongoing epidemic in Congo.
High-level surveillance and preparation underway
High-level surveillance and preparation underway
The preparedness for Mpox has been discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by P K Mishra, the principal secretary to the prime minister. Heightened surveillance and prompt detection measures have been put up at Airports and Borders. Steps have been taken for the prevention of the disease and treatment protocols have been issued through awareness campaigns. Healthcare providers have been advised to educate the masses about Mpox symptoms and on ways to prevent it. They are also directed to take swift action and act accordingly if a case gets identified.
Efforts taken globally and in India against Mpox
Mpox infections and deaths surged in 2023. The situation has worsened in 2024, with cases surpassing the previous year’s total, reaching over 17,000, and deaths increasing to 537. According to PTI, 30 Mpox cases have been reported since 2022 in India. The last case was traced in India in March 2024. More than 99,000 cases and 208 deaths have been reported across 116 countries since 2022.
