North News
New Delhi, September 26
In a bid to contain the spread of Mpox in India, Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has issued an advisory to all states and Union Territories, highlighting crucial public health actions. The central government has directed the states and UTs to enhance community awareness regarding Mpox, its transmission methods, and the need for early reporting and preventive practices. Health officials are instructed to avoid causing panic while ensuring public health preparedness, especially in hospitals. This includes identifying isolation facilities, securing logistics, and deploying trained personnel. Suspected cases must be isolated under strict infection control protocols.
The advisory also lists the support of 36 laboratories under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the approval of three commercial PCR kits by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). Skin lesion samples from suspected cases are to be sent for testing, with genome sequencing planned for confirmed cases to identify the virus clade.
These proactive measures aim to reduce the impact of the Mpox outbreak and safeguard public health. The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will closely monitor the situation and continue providing necessary assistance to states and UTs.
