Mpox update: Centre's advisory after India reports clade 1b case
The Union Health Ministry has issued a nationwide advisory following the detection of India's first Mpox clade 1b case. The patient, a 38-year-old man from Malappuram in Kerala who recently returned from the United Arab Emirates, is currently stable and under observation. This marks not only India's but also South Asia's first recorded instance of this new strain.
Health Ministry issues mpox advisory to states, UTs
The Health Ministry's advisory, directed at all states and union territories, warns of the Mpox infection and notes that the clinical presentation of Mpox clade 1 in adults is similar to clade 2. However, it highlights that complications may be higher with clade 1 infections. The Department of Health and Family Welfare has instructed for isolation of all suspected Mpox cases and implementation of strict infection prevention control measures.
Health Ministry outlines mpox management protocols
The Health and Family Welfare Department has provided clinical management protocols, infection prevention and control practices, a risk communication strategy, in addition to a list of laboratories operationalised for testing. The country is equipped with robust diagnostic testing capabilities through 36 ICMR-supported labs across the country. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has approved three ICMR-validated commercial PCR kits.
WHO declares mpox outbreak a global health emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Mpox disease outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 14 this year. This is the second time that the Mpox disease has been associated with PHEIC under the International Health Regulations, 2005. The 2024 PHEIC is related to MPox virus clade I which is more virulent and more transmissible than Mpox clade II.
Health Ministry instructs states to assess public health preparedness
The Health Ministry has instructed states to assess public health preparedness at health facilities and conduct reviews at both the state and district levels. It has also directed authorities to ensure that hospitals set up isolation facilities for managing both suspected and confirmed cases. Other necessary requirements include trained human resources in such facilities and development of an augmentation plan.
Health Ministry advises prompt testing for suspected mpox cases
The advisory recommends that samples from skin lesions of any patient with suspected Mpox symptoms should be promptly sent to designated labs. If a patient tests positive, their sample should be sent to designated labs and to ICMR-NIV for genome sequencing to determine the clade. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has directed state governments to take preventive measures and spread awareness about the disease.
