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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary PK Mishra reviewed the MPox situation in the country after the World Health Organisation (WHO) again declared the virus a global public health emergency.
According to a government statement, Mishra, on the directions of the Prime Minister, chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of preparedness for ampox in the country and related public health measures. He was informed that no case of ampox has been reported in the country. Current assessment suggests that the risk of a large-scale outbreak with persistent infection is low.
Mishra asked for effective measures to increase surveillance and detect cases early. He also directed that a network of testing laboratories should be prepared for early diagnosis. Currently 32 laboratories are equipped for testing.
Mishra directed that protocols for prevention and treatment of the disease should be widely publicised. He emphasised that awareness campaigns should be launched among healthcare providers about the symptoms and signs of the disease and the need to inform the surveillance system in a timely manner.
What is Mpox?
Ampox—formerly known as monkeypox—is a viral infection that typically resolves on its own, lasting two to four weeks. Patients with ampox usually recover with supportive medical care and management.
Ampox infection occurs through prolonged and close contact with an infected patient. It is mainly spread through the sexual route, direct contact with the patient’s body/wound fluid, or contaminated clothing/linen of an infected person.
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On Saturday, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda reviewed the ampox situation in the country, following which the Director General of Health Services held a meeting with state government officials through video conferencing to sensitize them about public health measures, including the need for Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) units in states and at ports of entry.
WHO declares ampox a global concern
The World Health Organization re-declared ampox a public health emergency of international concern on 14 August 2024, given its spread to many parts of Africa.
According to an earlier WHO statement, 99,176 cases and 208 deaths have been reported due to ampox in 116 countries since 2022. Following this, the agency reported that ampox cases are steadily increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The number of cases surged sharply last year, and so far this year, numbers have surpassed those levels, with more than 15,600 infections and 537 deaths.
Since ampox was first declared a global health concern in 2022, 30 cases have been reported in India – the last case was reported in March this year.
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