New Delhi: The Centre has instructed authorities at airports, ports, and borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain vigilant for incoming international passengers exhibiting symptoms of monkeypox (mpox), as the disease continues to spread globally. Here are 10 key points on the current situation:
1. Designated Facilities: Three state-run hospitals in Delhi—Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjung Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Hospital—have been designated as primary facilities for the quarantine, management, and treatment of mpox patients.
2. State Readiness: The Centre has directed all states to prepare hospitals for mpox cases, designating them as nodal centres and ensuring that the public is informed.
3. Preparedness Review: PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, led a meeting on Sunday to assess the country’s preparedness for mpox, emphasizing enhanced surveillance for prompt detection.
4. Current Status: No mpox cases have been reported in India at present. Current assessments suggest a low risk of a large outbreak with sustained transmission.
5. WHO Alert: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern due to its prevalence and spread across various parts of Africa.
6. Virus Strain: According to the WHO, the current mpox virus strain is more virulent and infectious. However, the risk of a widespread outbreak in India remains low based on current assessments.
7. Testing Infrastructure: The Health Ministry has directed officials to ensure that the network of testing laboratories is prepared for early diagnosis. There are currently 32 laboratories in India equipped for mpox testing.
8. Global Case Numbers: Since 2022, 99,176 mpox cases and 208 deaths have been reported across 116 countries, according to the WHO.
9. Increased Cases: Mpox cases have been rising steadily in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last year saw a significant increase in global cases, and this year has already surpassed last year’s total, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths reported so far.
10. Indian Cases: India has reported at least 30 cases of mpox since 2022, with the most recent case detected in March this year.
