A high-level meeting on the preparedness for Mpox was chaired by Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary P K Mishra on Sunday. As per the latest assessment, there is no reported case of Mpox in India as of now and the risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission is low.
The WHO has declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) keeping in mind its prevalence and spread across many parts of Africa.
As per a statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuing to monitor the situation.
It was noted during the meeting that Mpox infections are typically self-limiting, lasting between two to four weeks, with patients generally recovering with appropriate supportive care. Transmission of Mpox occurs primarily through prolonged and close contact with an infected individual. In response, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) convened a meeting of experts on August 12 to assess the risk for India and determine necessary precautions.
The NCDC had earlier issued a Communicable Disease Alert on Mpox which is now being updated to capture newer developments. Health teams at international airports (ports of entry) have been sensitised.
Mpox cases
The WHO earlier stated that 99,176 cases and 208 deaths have been reported due to the virus from 116 countries since 2022.
Mpox cases have been steadily rising in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last year saw a significant increase in reported cases, and this year, the number has already surpassed the previous year’s total, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths. Since the World Health Organization’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2022, India has reported 30 cases, with the most recent one detected in March 2024.
(With PTI inputs)