'Prevent panic...': Centre issues advisory to states, UTs on monkeypox
The central government on Monday issued an advisory to all states and Union territories (UTs) regarding the monkeypox virus, or Mpox. The advisory recommends screening and testing for all suspected Mpox cases, isolation of confirmed patients, and contact tracing. This is aimed at "prevent[ing] and/or minimiz[ing] risk of any case or death due to Mpox in the country."
Government urges states to prepare for mpox cases
The government has also urged states and UTs to identify hospitals that can be prepared with isolation facilities for suspected and confirmed Mpox cases. This will require increased resources, it said. The Health Ministry emphasized the importance of preventing "undue panic amongst the masses" and recommended dissemination of guidelines on "management of monkeypox disease." It also proposed a detailed surveillance strategy similar to measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health Ministry calls for review of public health preparedness
The ministry also provided a list of "laboratories operationalised to undertake testing, clinical management protocol, infection prevention and control practices, as well as risk communication strategies." It called for a "review of public health preparedness, particularly at health facility level at state and districts by senior officials." This includes briefing healthcare workers about symptoms, differential diagnoses, and actions to be taken following detection of a Mpox case.
WHO declares mpox a global health emergency
Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The declaration came amid concerns about the risk of spread from Africa, where a surge in cases has been reported. The majority of monkeypox patients are men between the ages of 18 and 44, presenting with rash (systemic or genital) followed by fever as the most common symptoms.
Mpox cases reported globally, none in India yet
No confirmed case of Mpox has been reported from India so far. However, five cases have been reported from Pakistan, according to Geo News. The latest patient is a 47-year-old man who tested positive after being isolated by Border Health Services staff on August 29. He had returned from the Gulf region. In India, a man who recently returned from a country with confirmed Mpox cases was isolated on Sunday and his samples are being tested.
