GUWAHATI: The Centre has asked states and union territories to take preventive measures to minimize the spread and lower the risk of death from Mpox.
Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra issued a formal advisory to all states and union territories on September 9, following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of Mpox as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The advisory calls for enhanced surveillance and testing measures to manage and prevent cases of Mpox in India.
India identified the first suspected case of Mpox on Sunday. The young male patient who had recently travelled from a country witnessing the outbreak has been isolated in a designated hospital and is currently stable.
His samples have been sent for testing to confirm Mpox, and contact tracing is on to identify potential sources and transmission risks.
Despite no positive cases reported at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune so far, the Health Ministry’s advisory stressed the need for increased awareness, timely reporting, and preventive measures to mitigate public panic.
The Union Health Ministry has asked state authorities to follow the National Centre for Disease Control’s updated alert on Mpox. It details surveillance strategy, lists labs operationalized for testing, and provides measures for clinical management, infection prevention and control.
The health ministry also highlighted the importance of reviewing public health preparedness at both state and district levels, including the establishment of isolation facilities for suspected and confirmed cases and ensuring the availability of necessary logistics and trained personnel.
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Healthcare workers, especially those in skin clinics, sexually transmitted disease clinics, and National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) clinics, have been advised to adhere to health protocols.
The Health Secretary assured that the Health Ministry will closely monitor the situation and provide full support to states and union territories.
