North News
Chandigarh, August 20
In response to the rising global cases of monkeypox (Mpox), the Indian government has directed authorities at airports, ports, and borders, especially those shared with Bangladesh and Pakistan, to stay vigilant for international travelers displaying symptoms of mpox. The situation demands heightened awareness and prompt action, as reported by the NDTV.
10 Key Points:
- Quarantine Facilities in Delhi: Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Hospital have been designated as key centers for quarantining and treating mpox patients in Delhi.
- State Preparedness: The Centre has instructed all states to designate hospitals as nodal centers for managing mpox cases and to inform the public accordingly.
- High-Level Review Meeting: PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, conducted a review meeting to assess India’s preparedness and ensure enhanced surveillance for early detection of mpox.
- Current Status in India: No mpox cases have been reported in India recently. Officials assess the risk of a large-scale outbreak with sustained transmission as low.
- WHO’s Declaration: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern due to its widespread prevalence in various parts of Africa.
- Virus Characteristics: The current strain of the mpox virus is reported to be more virulent and infectious, though the risk of a significant outbreak in India remains low according to current assessments.
- Testing Capabilities: The Health Ministry has ensured that a network of 32 laboratories across the country is prepared for early diagnosis of mpox.
- Global Impact: WHO has reported 99,176 cases and 208 deaths from mpox across 116 countries since 2022.
- Situation in Congo: Mpox cases continue to rise in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The number of global cases reported this year has already surpassed last year’s total, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths.
- Mpox in India: Since 2022, India has reported at least 30 mpox cases, with the most recent case detected in March this year.
